Apple’s September iPhone launch turned out to be very different this year. Instead of introducing the usual mix of standard and Pro models at the same time, the company focused on three premium devices: the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone, officially called the iPhone Duo.

The regular iPhone 18 was not part of the event, which lines up with earlier reports suggesting Apple would push it to 2027. That leaves the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max as the traditional flagship options, while the iPhone Duo introduces a completely new foldable design to the lineup.

A lot of the leaks surrounding these devices turned out to be accurate, but Apple also confirmed several details that differ from earlier reports, particularly around the iPhone Duo’s display size, processor, release timing, and the final prices of the Pro models.

iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo release dates

Apple has confirmed that pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will begin on September 12, with both phones becoming available on September 18.

The iPhone Duo, however, will arrive later. While some leaks suggested Apple could launch its foldable alongside the Pro models, the company has confirmed that pre-orders will begin on October 16, followed by availability on October 23.

iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo specs & design

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max keep the same general design direction as their predecessors, but Apple has made several meaningful upgrades under the hood. Both models use the new A20 Pro chip, which is built on a 2nm process and comes with a 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU, and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine.

Apple says the GPU is up to 40% faster than the A19 Pro, while memory bandwidth has increased by 50%. Both phones also use a redesigned vapor chamber with a much larger surface area, which should help improve sustained performance during demanding tasks such as gaming.

One major camera rumor also turned out to be correct. The iPhone 18 Pro models feature a new 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, giving users control over how much light enters the lens and how depth of field is handled. The system uses six blades and supports four manual aperture settings through the Camera app.

Apple has also added new Pro camera controls for shutter speed, white balance, aperture, and exposure monitoring. Video features have been expanded too, with 4K Dolby Vision time-lapse recording and the ability to apply Cinematic effects after capture at up to 60 fps.

The Dynamic Island is now smaller, which was another detail mentioned in earlier leaks. It can also display up to three Live Activities at the same time.

Battery life has received a major upgrade as well. Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro can deliver up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max can reach up to 45 hours on eSIM-only models. Both phones also support faster charging, with the Pro capable of reaching 50% in around 15 minutes using wired charging.

As for the iPhone Duo, several earlier leaks were close, but not completely accurate. The device does use a book-style foldable design, but its internal display measures 7.6 inches, rather than the previously rumored 7.8 inches. The outer screen is 5.4 inches, which is close to earlier reports.

Apple says the inner display is 50% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max and includes a nano-texture finish designed to reduce glare and make the crease less noticeable. Both displays support ProMotion, Always On, and up to 3,000 nits of outdoor brightness.

The Duo is made from grade 5 titanium and uses a hinge made from more than 100 components. It also carries an IP68 rating, while Ceramic Shield protects the back and Ceramic Shield 2 is used on the outer display. Earlier rumors suggested the Duo would use a standard A20 chip, but Apple has instead given it the same A20 Pro found in the Pro models. It also uses a custom vapor chamber and a dual-battery design.

The camera system includes a 48MP Fusion Main camera, a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera, and an integrated 2x optical-quality telephoto option through the main sensor. Apple has also added several foldable-specific camera features, including Duo Preview, Smart Take, and the ability to use the rear cameras for selfies while previewing the shot on the outer display. The company has also confirmed that the iPhone Duo will support Apple Pencil with USB-C later this year.

iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo price

The final pricing is lower than some of the more aggressive estimates that appeared before the event. The iPhone 18 Pro was rumored to start somewhere between $1,349 and $1,399, while some reports placed the iPhone 18 Pro Max around $1,499. Apple has instead confirmed starting prices of $1,199 and $1,299, respectively.

That still makes both devices $100 more expensive than last year’s Pro models at launch, but the increase is much smaller than some analysts predicted. The increase also appeares to be linked to the ongoing memory crisis in the tech industry. Apple has also raised the prices of some older models following the announcement, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17e, iPhone 16, and iPhone Air.

The iPhone Duo, meanwhile, starts at $1,999, which matches one of the more recent estimates. Earlier rumors suggested Apple’s first foldable could cost as much as $2,400 to $2,500, but that turned out to be much higher than the final price. Aside from that, all three devices are available with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of storage.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.