Apple Unveils iPhone Duo, Its First Foldable iPhone, Alongside iPhone 18 Pro Range.
Apple has officially unveiled its 2026 iPhone range, and this year there is actually something pretty different to get excited about. Alongside the expected iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple has finally entered the foldable phone market with the brand-new iPhone Duo.
And honestly, the Duo is easily the device that caught my attention the most.
The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable iPhone and, when opened, gives you a huge 7.6-inch display. When you close it, that folds down to a much more pocket-friendly 5.4-inch outer display. Apple has designed both screens to work together, so moving between the open and closed phone should feel much more natural than simply having a small screen stuck on the front of a foldable.
For me, this is what makes the Duo interesting. It isn't just Apple making a foldable because everyone else has one. The company has built iOS 27 around the design, with features such as split-screen multitasking, redesigned controls and new ways to use the cameras when the phone is folded.
The camera system is impressive too, with a 48MP Fusion Main camera, 48MP Ultra Wide and some clever new features that take advantage of the two screens. You can even use the rear cameras to take a selfie while seeing yourself on the outer display. There are also some genuinely fun ideas like Kid Cue, which uses Peanuts animations to get children's attention when you're trying to take a photo.
The Duo is powered by Apple's new A20 Pro chip, which also features in the iPhone 18 Pro models. Apple says it delivers major improvements in performance and sustained performance, which should make the Duo particularly interesting for gaming and multitasking. It also has a dual-battery design and Apple claims up to 24 hours of usage when both displays are used equally.
Of course, all of this comes at a price. The iPhone Duo starts at A$3,499, making it by far the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever released. It will be available in Star White and Night Sky, with pre-orders opening at 11pm AEST on Friday, 16 October, before going on sale on Friday, 23 October.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
If spending A$3,499 on a foldable phone isn't quite your thing, Apple has also announced the more familiar iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
These are probably the safer choice for most people, but Apple has still made some pretty significant improvements. The biggest one is the new 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, giving users much more control over photography and allowing the camera to automatically adjust depending on the lighting and depth of field.
The new Pro models also feature the A20 Pro chip, improved thermal management, better battery life and the next generation of Apple Intelligence and Siri AI.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at A$2,099, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at A$2,299. Both come in Black, Silver, Glacier and the new Burgundy finish.
Pre-orders open at 10pm AEST on Saturday, 12 September, with both models available from Friday, 18 September.
So, What's New This Year? You might be asking yourself...
I think this is probably the most interesting iPhone launch we've had in quite a while. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max look like excellent upgrades for people who want the best traditional iPhone experience, particularly if cameras, battery life and performance are important to you.
But the iPhone Duo is the one that really feels like a new generation.
We've seen foldable phones for years now, but Apple entering the market could be the moment they finally become something much more mainstream. Whether the A$3,499 price makes sense is another question entirely, but I can't deny that I'm very curious to get my hands on one.
After years of iPhones becoming increasingly similar from one generation to the next, it is nice to finally see Apple do something genuinely different.
