Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, at its “Surprise and Shine” event at Apple Park on September 9. However, the company did not announce a standard iPhone 18, making the absence of Apple’s mainstream model one of the most significant developments of this year’s launch.
The event was Apple’s first major iPhone presentation under chief executive John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook on September 1. The iPhone 18 Pro features a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch screen. Both are offered in Black, Silver, Glacier and Burgundy.
The Pro models are powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip, manufactured using a 2-nanometre process and featuring a six-core CPU and seven-core GPU. They also include a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, alongside 48-megapixel ultra-wide and telephoto cameras, Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI experience. Storage options range from 256GB to 2TB.
In India, Apple rates video playback at up to 34 hours for the iPhone 18 Pro and 43 hours for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Compatible wired charging can replenish the battery to around 50% in approximately 15 minutes.
The iPhone Duo represents Apple’s first entry into the foldable smartphone segment. It features a 5.4-inch outer Super Retina XDR display and unfolds to reveal a 7.6-inch inner display, the largest screen yet offered on an iPhone. Apple says the inner display is 50% larger than that of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The device is available in Star White and Night Sky and uses Touch ID integrated into the side button instead of Face ID.
The Duo runs iOS 27.1 with features designed for its foldable form factor, including enhanced multitasking. Apple Pencil (USB-C) support for both displays is scheduled to arrive later in 2026.
In India, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900 for 256GB, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at ₹1,79,900. The 2TB versions cost ₹3,14,900 and ₹3,29,900 respectively. The iPhone Duo starts at ₹2,99,900 for 256GB and rises to ₹4,49,900 for the 2TB model.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max begin in India at 5:30 p.m. IST on September 12, with sales starting September 18. iPhone Duo pre-orders open October 16, followed by retail availability on October 23.
The Pro models are ₹30,000 more expensive at launch than their iPhone 17 Pro predecessors. Industry reports have linked rising electronics costs to global memory and component constraints associated with strong demand from AI infrastructure, although Apple has not said these factors caused the higher prices or its decision not to launch the standard iPhone 18.
Apple has also not announced when the regular iPhone 18 will arrive. Reports from technology publications indicate that the standard iPhone 18 and other lower-priced models could debut in early 2027, but that timetable remains unofficial.
Apple also introduced AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 at the event.
Apple unveils iPhone 18 Pro series with variable-aperture camera, A20 Pro chip and new Siri AI
