Apple unveiled its highly anticipated foldable, the iPhone Duo, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4 at its annual September launch event. This year there was no base model iPhones like last year’s iPhone 17.
Its devices will run on iOS 27 with new Siri AI (in beta) and Apple Intelligence. Apple says it is much more conversational and a context-aware Siri, which understands personal context, what’s on your screen and information across apps such as Messages, Mail and Photos.
South Africa has been a wave one country for the last few years so expect the devices to launch here at the same time as the US and other key markets. The iStore has shared a bunch of posts on its Instagram to say most of the products are coming soon, in line with Apple’s global release dates.
Here’s a quick summary of what was announced at the annual iPhone event by new CEO John Ternus and the Apple team.
IPHONE DUO
- A20 Pro chip
- 6” outer display; 5.4” cover display
- Touch ID or Apple Watch unlocking
- 48MP Dual Fusion Cameras
- eSIM only
- Siri AI, next-gen Apple Intelligence
- Apple Pencil support coming
A book style foldable that has a 7.6-inch display when open, suitable for things like viewing content, gaming and multitasking with minimised glare, and a 5.4-inch outer display. It has 3000nits of brightness.
Apple says the outer display is 90% of the screen area of an iPhone 18 Pro but in a more compact pocketable design. It has the same aspect ratio of 14:10 across both screens.
It is powered by the new A20 Pro chip with thermal management and custom vapour chamber. It is optimised for dissipating heat and powering multitasking, gaming, and complex AI workloads.
There’s also a promise of an all-day battery life with up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display and 44 hours of video on the cover display. There’s also faster charging now, with up to 50% in 20 minutes. Apple did not share mAh figures or wattage for this.
Other features includes its N1 wireless networking chip, WiFi 7 support, Bluetooth 6 and its C2 modem.
The iPhone Duo features 48MP dual Fusion cameras with integrated optical-quality 2x Telephoto. The large sensors, fast aperture and sensor-shift optical image stabilisation can do sharp details and perform better in low light conditions, according to Apple. The ultra-wide lens, found on the iPhone 18 Pro models, does wider fields and macro shots. There’s also an under display inner camera on the open display.
Apple explains how the foldable design offers a camera experience that you won’t get on a regular iPhone:
With Smart Take, users no longer miss out on being in the photo because they are behind the shutter or racing to beat a timer. On-device AI models running on A20 Pro analyze the scene in real time and automatically capture photos when subjects are posing.
- Users can take a selfie with the higher-resolution rear cameras and preview their shot on the outer display.
- Duo Preview shows the live preview on the outer display, helping subjects pose, check their framing, and guide the shot.
- Kid Cue plays animations from Peanuts on the outer display to grab the attention of children so they look at the camera.
- Duo FaceTime lets people who are with the user join a video call on the outer display, so everyone can share the moment without crowding around one screen.
The iPhone Duo opens for pre-orders on 16 October and will be available a week later on 23 October in star white and night sky shades. South Africa is including in the first wave rollout with prices to be confirmed.
It will retail for $1999 in the US before sales taxes, which is a direct conversion of R32 000. Though it would likely cost close to R50 000 from our estimates when it gets here.
On that note, you can catch our Samsung Z Fold 8 vs Z Fold 8 Ultra comparison post here.
IPHONE 18 PRO AND PRO MAX
- A20 Pro chip
- 48MP Fusion Cameras with variable aperture
- 3-inch display on iPhone 18 Pro, 211g
- 9-inch display on iPhone 18 Pro Max, 249g
- Introduces Apple Reference Image
- Dynamic Island is now smaller
- 256GB storage up to 2TB
- Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy shades
The new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max line-up includes updated cameras, better battery life and performance.
The 48MP Fusion Main camera now has a physical variable aperture, the first time Apple has brought aperture control to the iPhone. It can automatically open up in low light or be adjusted manually for more control over depth of field.
Apple has also added Pro Controls, letting you manually adjust aperture, shutter speed and white balance, with a histogram for exposure.
The camera system also gets improvements to computational photography, Night mode, Photographic Styles and video.
Apple Reference Image: It is Apple’s new way of creating a verifiable “original” version of a photo on the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. It can be interpreted as a digital negative for authenticity.
When you opt-in to shoot in Reference mode, the new 48MP Main camera captures sensor data with a cryptographic signature at the pixel level. Apple’s Private Cloud Compute then turns that into an unalterable reference image.
Apple says the feature can specifically help photojournalists, photographers and everyday users establish authenticity.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max is powered the A20 Pro chip with a 6 core CPU, seven-core GPU, and dual 16-core Neural Engine.
Apple has redesigned the Dynamic Island to make it smaller while allowing it to display more information. It can now show up to three Live Activities simultaneously.
And as Apple does not share mAh, the battery life on the Pro promises up to 36 hours of video playback, and the Pro Max gets 45 hours of video playback, with reference to it being for the eSIM only models.
Charging speeds are upgraded to reach 50% in around 15 minutes on wired charging, with a supported plug, and on MagSafe/Qi2 wireless charging, it gets to 50% in 30 minutes.
Other features includes its N1 wireless networking chip, WiFi 7 support, Bluetooth 6 and its C2 modem.
The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will open for pre-order on 12 September at 2PM, according to the iStore.
APPLE AIRPODS 5
Apple adds proper active noise cancellation to its open-ear AirPods design. It says the AirPods 5 deliver up to 50% more noise reduction than AirPods 4 with ANC on the open-ear design.
It also has new multiport acoustic architecture, next-gen adaptive EQ, better sound quality, transparency mode, adaptive audio and conversation awareness. It also supports head gestures for responding to Siri, improved dust, sweat and water resistance, and personalised Spatial Audio.
AIRPODS 5 WITH WIRELESS CHARGING
The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case offer the same earbuds and audio features as the standard AirPods 5, but add a more capable charging case.
This version is aimed at people who want greater flexibility when charging, particularly if they already use MagSafe, Qi or an Apple Watch charger. The case also brings additional controls and improved battery performance when ANC is being used.
- New stem volume control
- Up to 5 hours playback with ANC on
- Up to 22 hours with the case (with ANC)
- Case supports Apple Watch charging, Qi and USB-C
APPLE WATCH SERIES 12
- Heart rate is measured every 5 seconds
- HRV measured up to 24x more
- New Readiness Score
- Powered by S11 Chip
- Better battery and faster charging
The Apple Watch Series 12 is not much of a visual overhaul but more about making the Watch a better health and fitness companion.
The biggest change is a new health-sensing system that collects heart-rate and heart-rate variability data much more frequently. Apple is using that additional data to power its new Readiness feature, which gives you a daily indication of whether your body is ready to train, needs you to pace yourself or should prioritise recovery. So, like an Oura Ring with its Readiness scores.
Battery life also gets attention, with Apple promising up to 24 hours of normal use, while charging has been sped up. The Watch also gets the new S11 chip, improved workout tracking and Apple’s latest software features, including the more capable Siri experience.
APPLE WATCH ULTRA 4
- Up to 45 hours in Max Extended Workout Mode
- GPS readings at one second intervals
- 15 minute charge yields 18 hours battery life
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 takes the same health and fitness improvements from Series 12 but is aimed at people who want more battery life and serious workout tracking.
Its major upgrade is up to 50 hours of normal battery life, while Apple’s extended workout modes can push it further. That makes it practical for long hikes, multi-day adventures or endurance training where charging isn’t always convenient.
It retains the rugged Ultra design and titanium construction, while improving GPS accuracy and workout tracking. The new health-sensing system and Readiness feature also make it way on the Ultra, making it a comprehensive training and recovery device.
For existing Ultra owners, the battery and GPS improvements are the biggest reasons to consider upgrading.
According to iStore, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is coming soon.
Recharged is an independent site that focuses on technology, electric vehicles, and the digital life by Nafisa Akabor. Drawing from her 19-year tech journalism career, expect news, reviews, how-tos, comparisons, and practical uses of tech that are easy to digest. Nafisa is a traveller at heart, having been to 46 countries and counting. Find her edutainment videos covering tech, EVs and travel on TikTok.
