Apple unveiled the new generation of iPhones yesterday, and after several years of mostly incremental changes, the 2026 event brought at least one major surprise. In addition to the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, the company officially entered the foldable phone market with the iPhone Duo, the first foldable iPhone in history.
Surprisingly, a standard iPhone 18 was completely absent from this presentation. Apple has gotten us used to seeing a base model with the launch of each new generation, but this year the lineup starts directly with the Pro models. This is a significant shift in strategy, and—at least for now—anyone looking for an 18th-generation iPhone will have to choose one of the premium models.
Based on the information that has emerged so far, the standard iPhone 18 does not appear to have been canceled, but rather postponed for a separate launch, most likely in the spring of 2027. However, Apple has not officially confirmed this timeframe, so for now we only know that the base model is not part of this fall’s launch.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: The Camera Takes Center Stage
At first glance, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max aren’t very different from the previous generation, a point also noted in the first hands-on reviews that appeared after the event. Apple has kept the 6.3- and 6.9-inch screen sizes and a design very similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, but the most significant changes are found on the inside and in the camera system.
The most exciting new feature is the 48 MP Fusion main camera with a variable aperture—a first for the iPhone. The system can physically adjust the aperture depending on the scene, and users who want more control can manually adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and white balance directly from the Camera app.
It seems to me like the kind of upgrade that matters more than just another minor design change. The iPhone was already excellent at taking photos and especially at shooting video, and the fact that Apple is starting to offer controls more similar to those of a traditional camera could be very appealing to people who use their phone for more than just quick snapshots.
Inside, we find the new A20 Pro, Apple’s first iPhone chip manufactured using 2-nm technology. Apple promises better performance and efficiency, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max should also offer the best battery life ever seen on an iPhone. Dynamic Island has also gotten smaller and can display up to three Live Activities at once.
Initial reactions in the international press have been generally positive, especially regarding the new cameras. At the same time, the same question inevitably arises every year: if you already own an iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max, are these changes enough to justify an upgrade after just one year?
The iPhone Duo is the real novelty
While the Pro models represent an evolution of a familiar formula, the iPhone Duo is something entirely different.
Apple is entering the foldable phone market quite late, after years in which Samsung and other Android manufacturers have had time to experiment with and refine this form factor. The iPhone Duo features a clamshell design, with a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display.
Early hands-on reviews particularly praise the hinge and the way Apple has integrated the software with the new form factor. The screen's fold remains visible under certain conditions, but it's barely noticeable when you run your finger across the display, and iOS 27 adapts the interface and apps based on how the phone is held or folded.
And I think this is where Apple’s real advantage lies. The iPhone Duo doesn’t reinvent the foldable phone, nor does it automatically seem to outperform all Android models in terms of hardware. Instead, Apple is trying to do what it usually does very well: integrate hardware and software into an experience that’s as simple and seamless as possible.
However, there are some trade-offs. The camera system consists of two 48-megapixel cameras and lacks the variable aperture found on the Pro models. The iPhone Duo is even thicker and heavier than some of the latest Android foldables, and its starting price of $1,999 makes it a decidedly premium product.
When will they be available, and how much will they cost?
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available for preorder starting September 12, with availability beginning September 18. In the United States, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, and the Pro Max starts at $1,299.
The iPhone Duo will be released a little later. Pre-orders begin on October 16, and the phone will be available starting October 23, with a starting price of $1,999.
As of this writing, we don't yet have the official prices for Romania, so we'll have to wait a little longer to see how much the new models will cost here and, more importantly, whether the iPhone Duo will be officially available on the local market right from launch.
Overall, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max seem to be exactly what we've come to expect from Apple in recent years: a more refined generation, with significant improvements in the areas that matter, but without any radical changes for those upgrading from the previous model.
However, the iPhone Duo is the product that makes this year’s launch truly exciting. Apple is entering a category for the first time where the competition already has years of experience, and I’m very curious to see if the company’s approach will succeed in making foldable phones appealing even to an audience that has so far viewed them as more of a niche product.
I find the absence of a standard iPhone 18 just as interesting. If Apple continues to spread out its launches throughout the year, the 2026 event could mark the beginning of a much larger shift in how the company launches and positions its phones.
Ruru
Founder of Newspigeon. I write about games, movies, TV shows, and technology.
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