Apple Unfolds Duo: A New Era of Foldable iPhones

Apple introduced its highly anticipated foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on Wednesday. This device features a 7.6-inch foldable display and a 5.4-inch outer screen, enabling dual-app functionality. Powered by the new A20 Pro chip, the Duo is engineered for enhanced on-device AI performance and efficiency, incorporating a vapor-chamber cooling system and the C2 modem. It supports Apple Pencil and includes Touch ID, starting at $1,999 with up to 2 terabytes of storage.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models were also revealed, carrying a $100 price increase to $1,199 and $1,299 respectively, attributed to increased memory chip costs. Both Pro models boast a new 48-megapixel main camera and Apple's A20 Pro chip. New authentication standards, Apple Reference Image and SynthID, were introduced to identify AI-generated or edited images, though these features will not be available in the EU or China.

CEO John Ternus emphasized Apple's dedication to privacy as a key differentiator in the AI era, presenting the iPhone as an intelligent hub with on-device AI processing. Siri will integrate with over 300,000 apps. The event also saw the launch of the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 with updated health-sensing systems and new audio intelligence tools.

Additionally, a new generation of AirPods was launched, bringing active noise cancellation to entry-level models for the first time. A premium version includes wireless charging and on-stem volume controls. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo begin on October 16, with sales commencing October 23.