Under the leadership of new CEO John Ternus, Apple has officially entered the foldable market with the iPhone Duo, alongside the high-performance iPhone 18 lineup and privacy-centric AI upgrades.

  • Apple launched its first foldable, the iPhone Duo, starting at $1,999.
  • iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max feature massive battery leaps and 'smart focus tracking'.
  • The Duo is the first iPhone to support Apple Pencil integration.
  • New CEO John Ternus emphasized privacy-first AI enhancements for Siri.

In a landmark event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, Apple's new CEO John Ternus marked his first major keynote by unveiling a revolutionary shift in the company's hardware strategy. Following in the footsteps of Steve Jobs, Ternus used the iconic "one more thing" phrase to introduce the iPhone Duo, Apple's first-ever foldable smartphone.

The iPhone Duo features a stunning 7.6-inch foldable display, which Apple claims is 80 percent larger than the standard iPhone 18 Pro. In a first for the smartphone line, the Duo supports the Apple Pencil, bridging the gap between the iPhone and the iPad. The device is designed for high-productivity users, allowing split-screen multitasking and dual-window browsing for seamless comparison shopping and research.

Read Also:Development History and Pricing of Foldable iPhone Revealed in New Report

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that Apple's late entry into the foldable market is a classic 'Fast Follower' strategy. By allowing Samsung and Google to iron out the initial technical kinks of foldable screens, Apple has entered the fray with a more polished, integrated ecosystem. The Duo isn't just a new form factor; it's an attempt to disrupt the smartphone category before the industry hits a plateau.

"The foldable launch is straight out of Apple's playbook: Wait for the product to work out its kinks, then enter and shape the category."

Alongside the Duo, Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. These flagship models boast significant battery improvements, with the Pro Max offering up to 45 hours of video playback. The camera systems have been overhauled with "cinematic effects" and advanced manual controls to appeal to professional creators.

Model Starting Price (USD) Key Highlight
iPhone 18 Pro $1,199 Enhanced Camera & Performance
iPhone 18 Pro Max $1,299 45-Hour Video Playback
iPhone Duo $1,999 7.6-inch Foldable Display

The software experience is anchored by a revamped Siri AI. While competitors have rushed AI features to market, Apple is positioning itself as the "Privacy-First" alternative. This focus on secure, on-device AI is intended to differentiate Apple from the data-heavy models of its rivals.

However, the launch comes with a price hike. Due to a global memory chip shortage, the iPhone 18 range is approximately $100 more expensive than its predecessor. For John Ternus, this event was more than a product launch; it was a declaration of his vision to sustain Apple's momentum while preparing for a post-smartphone era.

Did You Know?: The iPhone Duo's screen is 80% larger than the Pro model, effectively turning the phone into a pocket-sized tablet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the price of the iPhone Duo and when can I buy it?
A: The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 and will be available for purchase on October 23.

Q2: Does the iPhone Duo support the Apple Pencil?
A: Yes, it is the first iPhone model to officially support Apple Pencil functionality.