Apple has opened a new chapter in the history of iPhone. At its 9 September 2026 Keynote, the company unveiled iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, alongside iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5.
The announcements share three priorities: new ways to use Apple devices, advances in cameras, battery life and health, and a larger role for Apple Intelligence. Here are the key changes, with UK-specific prices and availability.
iPhone Duo: Apple's first foldable iPhone
When closed, iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR outer display. Open it and a 7.6-inch folding Super Retina XDR display appears – the largest screen ever fitted to an iPhone.
Both displays support ProMotion, Always-On and up to 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness. A nano-texture finish on the inner panel reduces reflections and helps make the crease less noticeable.
A design that adapts to the moment
The hinge allows iPhone Duo to be used open, closed or partly folded. It can stand on a surface for video calls, photos or entertainment without a separate support. Apple has redesigned iOS 27 for side-by-side apps, multitasking and dragging content between applications.
The frame is made from grade 5 titanium, IP68 water and dust resistance is retained, and Touch ID is integrated into the side button.
A20 Pro, cameras and battery life
iPhone Duo uses the A20 Pro chip, a vapour chamber and a battery split across both sides of the device. Its camera system pairs a 48MP Fusion Main camera with a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide.
The outer display can show a live preview to the person being photographed. Apple quotes up to 44 hours of video playback on the outer display and up to 31 hours on the inner display.
iPhone Duo UK pricing
| Storage | UK price |
|---|---|
| 256GB | £1,999 |
| 512GB | £2,199 |
| 1TB | £2,599 |
| 2TB | £3,199 |
iPhone Duo comes in star white and night sky. Pre-orders open on 16 October, with availability from 23 October 2026.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: camera, performance and battery
The Pro models feature 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR displays, a smaller Dynamic Island and four finishes: black, silver, glacier and burgundy.
The A20 Pro chip
Built on a 2-nanometre process, A20 Pro combines a 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engines. The biggest gains should appear in demanding games, video editing, computational photography and on-device AI.
48MP Fusion camera with variable aperture
The 48MP Fusion Main camera gains variable aperture, giving more control over light and depth of field. It is joined by 48MP Ultra Wide and Telephoto cameras, with up to 8x optical-quality zoom.
In the UK, iPhone 18 Pro starts at £1,199 with 256GB, while Pro Max starts at £1,299. Pre-orders begin on 12 September and availability on 18 September 2026.
AirPods 5: noise cancellation in an open-ear design
AirPods 5 keep their open-ear shape without silicone tips while adding Active Noise Cancellation to both versions. Apple says ANC is up to 1.5 times more effective than on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.
Adaptive Audio, Transparency and Live Translation are also included. Translation requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. In the UK, AirPods 5 cost £119 with the USB-C case or £139 with the Wireless Charging Case, volume swipe and longer battery life. They arrive on 18 September.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4
Apple Watch Series 12 introduces the Health Sensing System and S11 chip. Heart rate and heart rate variability are sampled more frequently and contribute to the new Readiness score, designed to put training and recovery into context.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 adds the same health tools and extends battery life: up to 50 hours in everyday use, 84 hours in Low Power Mode and up to 45 hours of run, walk and hike tracking in Max Extended Workout mode. Both watches will be available from 18 September.
Wellbeing features are not a replacement for diagnosis or advice from a medical professional.
Apple Intelligence ties the ecosystem together
Apple Intelligence underpins Live Translation, computational photography, Siri AI and clearer health insights. Many tasks are processed on the device, while Private Cloud Compute is used when more processing power is needed.
Should you buy the new iPhones?
It depends on your current phone and how you use it. iPhone Duo offers a genuinely different experience, but its price and first-generation status make it best suited to early adopters. For many buyers, a recent conventional iPhone will offer a better balance.
The arrival of a new range also makes iPhone 15, 16 and 17 more attractive. A refurbished iPhone can extend the useful life of a device that has already been manufactured and provide flagship performance for less than the newest model.
Every iPhone offered by Likenewiphone is checked and tested before being put back on sale – an option for buyers who want quality and value.
A new era for Apple
iPhone Duo is the defining image of the 2026 Keynote. iPhone 18 Pro moves cameras and performance forward, Apple Watch focuses more closely on health and sport, and AirPods 5 bring advanced features to a more accessible price.
The best iPhone is not necessarily the newest one. It is the model that offers the right balance of performance, useful life and price.
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