By Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Is Here: Everything Announced at the September 2026 Apple Event
Excerpt: Apple introduced its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5. Here are the biggest announcements, key features, Philippine prices, and important details buyers should know.
Apple unveiled five major products during its September 9, 2026 event, led by a device that marks a new direction for the company: the first foldable iPhone.
The iPhone Duo shared the spotlight with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5. Apple also confirmed that iOS 27 will be released on September 15.
The announcements at a glance
| Product | Main highlight | Philippine starting price |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Duo | Apple’s first foldable iPhone | ₱159,990 |
| iPhone 18 Pro | A20 Pro chip and a 48MP main camera with variable aperture | ₱94,990 |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | New Health Sensing System and more frequent heart readings | ₱28,990 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | Longer battery life and features for outdoor activities | ₱59,990 |
| AirPods 5 | Active Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design | ₱9,490 |
Apple’s Philippine online store has already posted local prices, but its pages currently tell customers to check back later for the availability of the new iPhones.
iPhone Duo: Apple enters the foldable-phone market
The biggest announcement was the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
When opened, the phone has a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR inner display. It also has a 5.4-inch outer display for use while the device is closed. Apple says the inner screen is 50 percent larger than the display of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The phone can be used in several positions. Users may open it like a book, place two apps beside each other, set it down at an angle for videos and workouts, or stand it up for hands-free FaceTime calls and the StandBy display.
Among its key features are:
- A20 Pro chip with a Dual 16-core Neural Engine
- 48MP Fusion Main and 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide cameras
- 12MP Center Stage front camera
- Under-display FaceTime camera on the inner screen
- Grade 5 titanium frame and hinge cover
- Ceramic Shield on the front and back
- IP68 dust and water resistance
- Up to 44 hours of video playback using the outer display
- Up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display
- Night Sky and Star White finishes
The iPhone Duo will also support the Apple Pencil (USB-C), although Apple says that support will arrive later in 2026.
One important detail for Philippine buyers is that the iPhone Duo is eSIM-only worldwide. It does not have a physical SIM tray, so users will need a network provider and mobile plan that support eSIM.
iPhone Duo prices in the Philippines
| Storage | Price |
|---|---|
| 256GB | ₱159,990 |
| 512GB | ₱175,990 |
| 1TB | ₱207,990 |
| 2TB | ₱254,990 |
In the United States, pre-orders begin on October 16 and availability starts on October 23. Apple has not yet posted a Philippine release date.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max focus on cameras, power, and battery life
Apple also introduced the 6.3-inch iPhone 18 Pro and 6.9-inch iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The phones use the new A20 Pro chip, supported by a larger vapor chamber for improved heat management during demanding work, mobile gaming, and on-device artificial intelligence tasks.
The headline camera upgrade is a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture. The camera can change among four aperture settings to adjust the amount of light entering the lens and control how much of the scene stays in focus.
Both models also include a 48MP Ultra Wide camera and a 48MP Telephoto camera, with up to 8x optical-quality zoom. Other camera tools include smart focus tracking, Photographic Styles 3, Dual Capture using the front and rear cameras, improved low-light video, and an 18MP Center Stage front camera.
Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro Max sold in the Philippines can provide up to 43 hours of video playback. The phones can also reach up to 50 percent charge in around 15 minutes when used with a compatible power adapter.
The lineup comes in Burgundy, Glacier, Silver, and Black, with an aluminum unibody and Ceramic Shield protection on the front and back.
iPhone 18 Pro prices in the Philippines
| Storage | iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 256GB | ₱94,990 | ₱99,990 |
| 512GB | ₱110,990 | ₱115,990 |
| 1TB | ₱142,990 | ₱147,990 |
| 2TB | ₱189,990 | ₱194,990 |
In the United States, pre-orders begin on September 12 and availability starts on September 18. Apple’s Philippine store has not yet announced local availability.
Apple Watch Series 12 adds deeper health and recovery information
Apple Watch Series 12 introduces a redesigned Health Sensing System with updated optical and electrical sensors. Apple says it can take background heart-rate readings every five seconds and measure heart-rate variability more frequently, providing more information about stress and recovery.
A new readiness score is designed to help users decide whether their body appears ready for exercise or may need more recovery. Apple is also adding Health Age and other personalized insights to the redesigned Health app, with some features expected later in 2026.
Series 12 comes in 42mm and 46mm case sizes, with aluminum, titanium, and ceramic options. It offers up to 24 hours of normal use or up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. The Philippine starting price is ₱28,990.
Health information from a smartwatch should be treated as a wellness aid, not as a medical diagnosis. Feature availability may also depend on the country or region.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 extends battery life for outdoor use
Apple Watch Ultra 4 retains its rugged 49mm titanium case while extending normal battery life to as much as 50 hours and Low Power Mode use to as much as 84 hours.
Apple also advertises up to 45 hours of Max Extended Workout tracking. The watch includes the new Health Sensing System, a sapphire crystal display, dual-frequency GPS, 100-meter water resistance, and recreational scuba support to a depth of 40 meters.
Apple highlighted built-in satellite communication for staying connected away from cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. However, satellite services and other features may not be available in every country or region.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at ₱59,990 in the Philippines.
AirPods 5 bring noise cancellation to both models
AirPods 5 retain an open-ear design while adding improved Active Noise Cancellation. Apple says the new earbuds can block up to 1.5 times more noise than the previous generation with Active Noise Cancellation.
The earbuds use the H2 chip and a redesigned acoustic architecture. They also support Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, Live Translation, and hands-free access to Siri AI when paired with a compatible iPhone.
Both models are rated IP57 for dust, sweat, and water resistance. The standard model provides up to four hours of listening with noise cancellation enabled. The version with the Wireless Charging Case adds volume-swipe controls, up to five hours of listening, and charging through USB-C, Apple Watch chargers, or Qi chargers.
AirPods 5 start at ₱9,490 in the Philippines. Apple lists Live Translation only for selected languages and regions, and Filipino or Tagalog is not currently included among the announced languages.
iOS 27 arrives on September 15
Apple says iOS 27 will be available beginning September 15. Its centerpiece is Siri AI, which Apple describes as a more conversational assistant capable of using personal context, taking actions in apps, answering broader questions, and working through a dedicated Siri app.
The update also introduces AI-assisted photo editing, a visual-search mode in the Camera app, expanded child-safety controls, design refinements, and performance improvements.
Siri AI is rolling out in English, while several other functions are limited by language, device, and region. Not every iOS 27 feature will necessarily be available immediately to every user.
What was not announced
Apple did not introduce a standard iPhone 18 during the event. The official event lineup only includes the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro family among the new iPhones.
Apple has not provided an official launch date for a regular iPhone 18, so reports about when it might arrive should still be treated as unconfirmed.
What prospective buyers should remember
The iPhone Duo is the event’s most significant new product, but it is also the most expensive. Its ₱159,990 starting price is considerably higher than the ₱94,990 starting price of the iPhone 18 Pro.
For buyers who prioritize photography, long battery life, and performance, the iPhone 18 Pro models offer the more familiar design and the more advanced rear-camera system. The Duo is aimed at users who value a larger folding screen, multitasking, and flexible viewing positions.
Philippine prices are already listed, but Apple has yet to announce local sales dates for the new iPhones. Buyers should also check carrier support for eSIM before considering the iPhone Duo and confirm whether region-limited health, satellite, AI, and translation features are available locally.
