Apple’s Surprise and Shine event took place on 9th September and there’s a lot to cover. The biggest talking point was the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable iPhone. Apple also revealed the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5.
The event also showcased Siri AI, Apple's next-generation AI assistant, alongside new health and audio experiences across the range. Here's a closer look at everything Apple announced and how you can get your hands on the latest tech.
Everything Apple announced
This year's announcements included:
iPhone Duo
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple Watch Series 12
Apple Watch Ultra 4
AirPods 5
The new A20 Pro chip
Siri AI and expanded Apple Intelligence features
iPhone Duo
The biggest surprise was the iPhone Duo, which is Apple’s first ever folding iPhone. Here’s a quick look at the main specs:
Here's a closer look at the features that stand out most.
Foldable design
The iPhone Duo marks Apple's biggest iPhone redesign in years. The iPhone Duo combines a pocket-friendly outer display with a much larger screen when unfolded. Open it up and you’ll get a tablet-style 7.6-inch display that's around 50% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. From what we’ve seen, it looks like it could be really good for gaming, streaming and having multiple apps open at once.
The foldable design also unlocks new ways to use iOS, from running apps side by side to hands-free viewing. Apple has managed to keep the design super thin, while a titanium frame and Ceramic Shield protection help it withstand everyday knocks and bumps.
A20 Pro performance
Powering the iPhone Duo is Apple's new A20 Pro chip. Built for Apple Intelligence, the chip should deliver faster performance when using AI-powered features and gaming. There's also a new vapour cooling system to help keep things running smoothly when you're pushing the phone harder. This is paired with a C2 modem, which Apple says can reconnect faster in areas with weaker signal coverage, alongside support for Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
Powerful cameras
For anyone who loves taking group photos or selfies, iPhone Duo's new foldable camera features add some clever new tricks. iPhone Duo is equipped with a 48MP Fusion camera and 48MP Ultra Wide camera so you can capture everything from detailed portraits to scenic landscape shots.
Apple has also introduced new features designed specifically for the foldable design. Duo Preview lets subjects see themselves while you're taking the photo, and Smart Take automatically captures group shots when everyone’s looking at the camera.
Dual-battery system
A device with two displays needs plenty of power. So Apple has introduced a new dual-battery system to help keep the Duo running for longer, no matter which screen you're using. According to Apple, it delivers all-day battery life whether you're checking messages on the outer display or making the most of the larger screen inside. Battery life is often one of the biggest challenges for foldable phones, so if Apple can deliver on that promise, it could be one of the Duo's most impressive features.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple announced the newest additions to the iPhone family with the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Here’s how the specs stack up:
Both iPhone 18 Pro models share many of the same features, including the new A20 Pro chip, upgraded camera system and Apple Intelligence features. The main differences come down to screen size and battery life.
A redesigned camera system
One of the headline upgrades is the camera system. The new 48MP Fusion camera features a variable aperture for greater control over depth of field and improved low-light photography. Apple has also introduced new Pro Controls, so you get direct access to settings such as aperture, shutter speed and white balance.
There's also up to 8x optical-quality zoom and a new 18MP Centre Stage camera that can keep subjects in frame automatically. And Dual Capture video means you can record from the front and rear cameras at the same time. We think that could be particularly useful for content creators, letting them capture what's happening around them and keeping their reactions in the shot.
More power, more battery life
The iPhone 18 Pro is powered by Apple's new A20 Pro chip, which helps drive many of the phone's new features. Apple says it delivers a significant graphics boost over the previous generation, and a redesigned cooling system helps the phone stay cooler when it’s doing more. Apple also says battery life has improved, with the iPhone 18 Pro offering up to 36 hours of video playback and the Pro Max reaching up to 45 hours. The phones also feature Apple's new C2 modem, alongside support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
Smarter everyday features
Alongside the hardware upgrades, Apple is building on its AI capabilities with the new Siri AI. According to Apple, Siri AI can handle more natural conversations and understand your personal context. That means it could find details from recent messages and remind you of upcoming plans or pull up a friend's restaurant recommendation when you need it.
Apple has also redesigned Dynamic Island to make it smaller, while still supporting up to three Live Activities at once. So you should be able to keep tabs on things like a takeaway delivery, a football score and directions to your destination at the same time.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4
Alongside the new iPhones, Apple also updated its smartwatch lineup with the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Here’s a side-by-side look at both:
The Series 12 and Ultra 4 share many of the same health and AI features. The Ultra 4 is designed with greater outdoor features and significantly longer battery life. For anyone who enjoys hiking or trail running, satellite communications could be especially useful, helping you stay connected when you're away from reliable mobile coverage.
Health tracking
Both watches introduce Apple's new Health Sensing System, which takes more frequent heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. There's also a new Readiness Score, which combines health data such as sleep and previous activity data to indicate whether your body is ready for exercise or should focus on recovery.
AI-powered features
The S11 chip brings a more capable version of Siri to both watches, with support for Apple's latest AI features. According to Apple, Siri can better understand personal context, helping you get more relevant answers. And new Audio Intelligence tools like Live Recall and Siri Recap are designed to make it easier to revisit recent conversations and information throughout the day.
AirPods 5
Apple's AirPods are getting a refresh too. AirPods 5 feature Active Noise Cancellation that Apple says is up to 50% more effective than the previous generation. Transparency mode makes it easier to hear conversations and important sounds without removing your earbuds. And Adaptive Audio can switch between noise cancellation and transparency modes automatically when you need to stay aware of what’s going on around you.
AirPods 5 has Adaptive EQ, which fine-tunes audio based on the shape of your ears. Voice Isolation helps make calls clearer in noisy environments by reducing background noise. And Live Translation can help bridge language barriers by translating conversations in real time. Audio Intelligence features should help AirPods work more closely with Siri AI and the wider Apple ecosystem.
Apple also announced a version of the AirPods 5 with a Wireless Charging Case. Alongside support for USB-C, Apple Watch and Qi chargers, it has swipe controls on the stem, so you can adjust the volume without reaching for your phone.
When can I get a new iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Duo, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 or AirPods 5?
Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5 begin on 12th September, with devices expected to go on sale from 18th September. You can register your interest and we’ll let you know when pre-orders go live.
The iPhone Duo is due to launch a bit later, with pre-orders planned for 16th October, with the models available from 23rd October.
FAQs
What did Apple announce at its September 2026 event?
At its September 2026 event, Apple announced the new iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5. They also introduced new AI-powered features through Siri AI and Apple Intelligence.
What is iPhone Duo?
iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable iPhone. It combines a traditional outer smartphone display with a larger foldable inner screen for multitasking, streaming and productivity.
How large is the iPhone Duo display?
When unfolded, the iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch display, making it the largest ever iPhone screen. It also includes a 5.4-inch outer display for everyday use when folded.
Can iPhone Duo run two apps at once?
Yes. The foldable design means you can run apps side by side on the larger inner display. That could be handy for things like watching a video while replying to messages, or checking your calendar while planning a trip.
What cameras does iPhone Duo have?
The iPhone Duo features a dual-camera system consisting of a 48MP Fusion camera and a 48MP Ultra Wide camera. It also includes new camera features such as Duo Preview and Smart Take.
Which iPhone 18 models did Apple announce?
Apple announced two new Pro models: the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Both feature the new A20 Pro chip, upgraded cameras and Apple Intelligence features.
How long does iPhone 18 Pro Max battery last?
According to Apple, the iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers up to 45 hours of video playback, making it the longest-lasting battery in the new iPhone lineup.
What is the A20 Pro chip?
The A20 Pro is Apple's latest smartphone processor. It's designed to deliver faster performance, improved graphics and better support for AI-powered features across the new iPhone range.
What is Siri AI?
Siri AI is Apple's new AI-powered assistant. Apple says it can understand personal context, support more natural conversations and provide more personalised assistance.
When will iPhone Duo be released?
Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo begin on 16th October 2026, with the device due to launch on 23rd October 2026.
