Apple Event Recap: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Watch Series 12 2026

Apple's latest event introduced the iPhone Duo, the company's first foldable iPhone, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5. This marks a major shift in Apple's product lineup and sets the stage for the next era of its ecosystem.

iPhone Duo: Apple's First Foldable iPhone

The iPhone Duo is official, representing Apple's entry into the foldable phone market. After years of watching competitors advance, Apple has designed its own approach to the category, aiming to set a new standard.

This launch is the biggest format change in iPhone history. It opens a new product category for Apple and signals the company's intention to innovate beyond traditional slab phones.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max: Still the Best iPhones

Even with the foldable stealing the spotlight, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max remain Apple's top-tier traditional smartphones. These models continue to offer the best performance and features for users who prefer a classic design.

Apple hasn't neglected its flagship line; the Pro models likely include incremental upgrades that maintain their status as the most powerful iPhones available.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: Health Focus and New Capabilities

The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 bring significant health advancements, but also introduce a new feature: the ability to remember conversations. This suggests Apple is integrating more advanced AI and memory capabilities into its wearables.

Health remains a core focus, with the Series 12 and Ultra 4 likely adding new sensors or health monitoring features that build on previous generations. The background to this story is set out in Apple's Foldable iPhone Duo: Why It Took So Long to Launch. A related thread runs through iPhone Duo Review: The Biggest iPhone Change Isn't the Best iPhone. Earlier coverage in iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo: Lexus Partners Q&A on September 28 shows how the argument developed.

AirPods 5: Expected Updates

While details are scarce, the AirPods 5 were also announced. Given Apple's pattern, we can expect improvements in audio quality, battery life, and integration with the ecosystem. A closer look at the same subject appears in iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo: Inside Apple's Latest Launch. Anyone following the wider picture can start with iPhone Duo Review: Apple's Foldable Hides the Crease Well. The same theme surfaces in iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: Best iPhones With Variable Aperture Camera, which takes a different angle.

What This Means for Apple's Ecosystem

This event, the first in the John Ternus era, shows Apple's commitment to expanding the boundaries of its most important product while maintaining the rest of its ecosystem. The iPhone Duo kicks off this change, and the Pro models, watches, and AirPods continue to evolve. Context on how this played out before sits in iPhone Duo Preorder: Apple's First Foldable Now Available. A companion piece, iPhone Duo 2TB at €76.50/Month: Movistar's Convenient Payment Plan, approaches the same subject from another angle.

• iPhone Duo marks Apple's entry into foldables, potentially reshaping the smartphone market.
• iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max continue to offer top performance for traditional users.
• Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 emphasize health and add memory features.
• AirPods 5 likely bring audio and integration improvements.
• The event signals Apple's push into new categories under John Ternus.

Comparison of Announced Products

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