Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: September 10, 2026, 9:32 PM ET

iPhone Duo Arrives as Apple's First Foldable

Apple has finally entered the foldable market, unveiling the iPhone Duo at its "Surprise and Shine" event, and a Trend Force report projects the device will capture 24.8% of the foldable smartphone market in 2026 alone, countering a 20% slump in the segment. The device pairs a 7.6-inch inner display with an under-display Face Time camera, though Apple is staying quiet on that camera's resolution. According to Chinese leaker Instant Digital, the camera placement was deliberately kept out of the top-right corner for engineering reasons. The Duo lacks Face ID, but Apple has brought over Touch ID as one of several unlock methods.

Hands-On Impressions and the Crease Question

Early reviewers came away impressed. Apple Insider's hands-on found the device surprisingly polished, with the author admitting to abandoning prior reservations about a foldable iPhone. Mac Rumors' own hands-on noted that the crease remains but is barely visible in person. Apple Insider explains that a crease developing over time is a matter of physics and engineering, and detailed what Apple has done to mitigate it. In a full review, 9to5Mac called the Duo Apple at its best — and a little bit at its worst — after Samsung enjoyed a seven-year head start.

Duo Versus the Competition

Spec-by-spec comparisons are already circulating. 9to5Mac broke down how the Duo stacks up against the similarly sized Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, while Apple Insider compared it to the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. Apple Insider also argued the Duo is no Vision Pro — the two products serve fundamentally different purposes despite surface-level comparisons. One Apple Insider piece made the case that Apple's never first, usually best strategy has paid off yet again. Long-memory observers noted that Microsoft's 2009 Courier prototype bears a striking resemblance to the Duo.

Naming, Cameras, and Chip Details

The device's name itself was a surprise — for months, blogs referred to the rumored foldable as the iPhone Ultra, but Apple went with Duo. Camera specs suggest the Duo's main sensor matches the iPhone 17e rather than the iPhone. Both the Duo and iPhone 18 Pro use the new A20 Pro chip, which Apple Insider suggests could be the key to making Siri AI genuinely useful. Mag Safe is on board, though the Duo won't work with every existing accessory — and Apple Insider says that's okay.

Software Built for Two Screens

Apple detailed how iOS 27 adapts in real time to the Duo's dual displays. Third-party apps may lag behind Apple's built-ins at launch, and 9to5Mac reports the race to build great Duo apps is just beginning. Developers can now submit apps built for iOS 27 and macOS 27 ahead of next Monday's rollout. Apple announced that mac OS, also known as macOS Golden Gate, arrives September 14 alongside iOS, iPad OS, watch OS, tv OS, and vision OS.

iPhone 18 Pro: Cameras, Speed, and Repairability

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launch September 18 with 10 new features, and Mac Rumors tallied 35+ upgrades over the iPhone 17 Pro. Early benchmark results for the A20 Pro chip suggest a substantial speed jump — Apple Insider notes a roughly 15% increase is the threshold for users to feel a difference, and these numbers clear it. Hands-on coverage found the cameras impress most of all. 9to5Mac argued one particular camera feature will matter most to typical users, while another piece made the case that the 18 Pro's cameras win in a head-versus-heart matchup against the Duo. On repairability, Apple's scores suggest the 18 Pro is slightly easier to fix than the 17 Pro. Battery life is much improved, and 9to5Mac published a guide on how to fast charge the new phone.

Choosing Between Apple's New Flagships

Apple Insider compared the iPhone 18 Pro and Duo directly, pitting Apple's most advanced traditional iPhone against its first foldable. Another piece framed the decision as Duo versus 18 Pro and iPad mini, noting the Duo immediately replaced the iPad mini for many people. Trade-in values are live, though the iPhone Air's $200 premium disappears entirely when you trade it in. Accessory makers are already moving: Apple introduced a new Wrist Strap accessory for iPhone, and Mac Rumors rounded up the best cases for both new models. For those planning to skip this cycle, rumors point to a redesigned iPhone 20 coming next year.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4

The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 both carry 4GB of RAM, an upgrade Mac Rumors confirmed. 9to5Mac separately reported the surprise RAM upgrade that Apple didn't mention on stage. The Series 12 pairs a smaller display with a wider case than Series 10 and, even though pixel resolution is unchanged. The ceramic model is bigger and heavier than aluminum or titanium versions, and repairs on that ceramic case run $599 without AppleCare+ — pricier than fixing an Ultra. There's also a price increase you might have missed: the larger aluminum model no longer starts at $429. Some upgraders could temporarily lose hypertension notifications, per Apple's watch OS feature availability page.

Watch Features, watch OS, and Deals

The Series 12 and Ultra 4 add Live Rewind, which relies on an S11 processor and continual listening — and Apple says you can't use it secretly. Apple published the full watchOS 27 release notes, covering Siri AI, Workout Buddy, and new faces. Amazon opened preorder discounts on multiple Series 12 styles, and Mac Rumors noted early discounts on Air Pods 5 and Series 12 preorders. The new lineup, including AirPods 5 and Ultra 4, hits shelves September 18. 9to5Mac's deals roundup found savings up to $325 off on watches and Air Pods, plus $200 off the M5 MacBook Air. Apple Care One's new Family versus Individual plans were a 30-second event announcement; Apple Insider broke down which makes more sense.

Health, Services, and Ads

Apple Health is partnering with Quest for a $119 blood panel to fill gaps when users lack recent lab results. Mac Rumors previewed the iOS 27 Health redesign, covering every new feature coming to iPhone and iPad. Apple may be laying groundwork for ads in Visual Intelligence, with code in iOS 27 suggesting sponsored search results could appear. Mac Rumors corroborated that sponsored results may be coming to Visual Intelligence. T-Mobile will charge customers $5 per month to use iPhone Handoff, an eSIM feature that lets the same number work across devices.

Apple TV, Remote App, and Entertainment

The Apple TV Remote app gained hidden features in iOS, and 9to5Mac sees it as a sign a new Apple TV 4K box is on the way. Mac Rumors detailed two new features added to the virtual remote in the iOS 27 Release Candidate. Apple TV is kicking off four straight weeks of major premieres this fall. The streamer released an intense trailer for "The Last First: Winter K2", premiering October 2 and promising an unflinching look at extreme mountain climbing culture. For anyone who missed the hour-plus event, Apple posted a 95-second recap on YouTube.

Camera Controls, Edge Light, and October Pipeline

The iOS 27 RC added long-rumored Camera app controls customization for developers. The Mac's Edge Light feature, added in mac OS 26.2 for M1-and-newer Macs, is rumored to be expanding to iPhone. Apple is set to launch 7+ new products in October, with the Duo among the devices that won't ship until then. 9to5Mac Daily recapped the top stories from September 9. In legal news, the DOJ won a temporary pause on an order requiring it to respond to Apple's document requests from 14 federal agencies while it appeals. Outside Apple, Snap launched Snapchat Plans, a set of features encouraging in-person hangouts.