Apple Unveils Foldable iPhone Duo and Pricey iPhone 18 Pro Models
Apple introduced its first foldable iPhone Duo and raised prices for the iPhone 18 Pro series, with new devices launching this fall.
Apple revealed its first foldable iPhone, named the iPhone Duo, during its "Surprise and shine" event on September 9. Alongside the foldable model, the company launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, both featuring higher starting prices compared to previous models.
The iPhone Duo, priced from Dh8,499, is set to be available for purchase starting October 23. Other new devices, including the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, will be released earlier on September 18. Notably, Apple did not introduce a standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, or iPhone Air 2 at this event, with those models anticipated in early 2027.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models have seen a price increase of Dh400 at the base storage level compared to their iPhone 17 Pro predecessors. This price hike is more significant at higher storage tiers; for example, the 1TB iPhone 18 Pro costs Dh1,250 more than the equivalent iPhone 17 Pro. Additionally, the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air models have also experienced price adjustments, now retailing at Dh3,799 and Dh4,699 respectively.
Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market comes after other manufacturers, but the company emphasized a focus on engineering and software optimization tailored to the folding screen technology. The foldable iPhone aims to deliver a refined user experience, reflecting Apple's approach of ensuring product readiness before launch.
Alongside the new iPhones, Apple also introduced the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 during the event, rounding out its latest hardware offerings.