Apple unveils its first foldable iPhone Duo

CUPERTINO: Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, introducing a passport-shaped device called the iPhone Duo in the company’s biggest smartphone redesign in years.

The new phone has rounded edges and opens horizontally to reveal a wide display that can also be used in a vertical orientation. When folded, it features a smaller outer screen for everyday use. Apple said the Duo becomes its thinnest iPhone when fully opened.

The launch marks a major shift for Apple’s flagship smartphone range and is the first major iPhone event led by new Chief Executive Officer John Ternus. The company’s previous major design change came with the iPhone X in 2017, when Apple removed the traditional physical home button.

Ternus presented the iPhone as a key platform for Apple’s artificial intelligence ambitions, with a strong emphasis on privacy. He said Apple Intelligence is designed to process information directly on the device whenever possible rather than relying on storing users’ personal data elsewhere.

Apple also showcased an upgraded Siri assistant, which executives said will be capable of working with around 300,000 apps when the updated system launches.

Alongside the foldable model, Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, continuing its conventional smartphone design. Prices for the Pro model start at $1,199, while the Pro Max starts at $1,299, representing a $100 increase over the starting prices of their predecessors.

The iPhone 18 Pro will be powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, which includes improvements designed to allow more advanced AI models to operate directly on the device.

Apple also announced new technology intended to help users distinguish authentic photographs from AI-generated or manipulated images. Its “Apple Reference Image” system will provide information aimed at verifying images captured by the new iPhone cameras. The company said the feature will also support the emerging SynthID system for identifying AI-created or altered images, although Apple Reference Image will not initially be available in the European Union or China.

The company expanded its audio and wearable product lineup as well. A new AirPods model will start at $129 and offer noise cancellation, while a $149 version will add features including wireless charging and controls for adjusting volume directly from the stem.

Apple also introduced the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, highlighting health and fitness improvements. The updated watches feature redesigned sensors capable of collecting heart-rate information more frequently, supporting new tools focused on recovery and fitness.

The launch also presents a significant pricing challenge for Apple. Analysts expect the foldable iPhone to cost more than $2,000, potentially making it the company’s most expensive mainstream smartphone.

Foldable phones have been available from rivals including Samsung and Huawei since 2019, but they have remained a relatively small segment of the smartphone market. Analysts nevertheless expect strong demand for Apple’s first entry into the category because of the company’s large customer base.

The new foldable device could also change Apple’s traditional product-release strategy. Instead of introducing its more affordable iPhone models alongside the premium lineup later this year, Apple is expected to focus on the Duo and Pro models before releasing cheaper versions in the following spring.