Apple's September 2026 keynote will undeniably go down as one of the most historic events for the brand. It marks the first time Apple has introduced a foldable device into its line up – an announcement that has been hotly debated for months.
Unlike last year's event, this year's keynote has very few details on the base iPhone 18 and focused mainly on the iPhone 18 Pro, Airpods 5, Apple Watch 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and of course, the exciting new category iPhone Duo.
From an adjustable aperture in camera to market-leading heart rate monitoring, these are the biggest and most innovative announcements from this year's event.
Introducing the first foldable Apple iPhone
It's called iPhone Duo. Sitting in your palm while closed, it's similar in size to a passport. Open it up, and it's as versatile as a small iPad on-the-go.
Folding phones aren't anything new, but Apple says it wanted to focus on creating something that felt like what an Apple foldable should before launching into the category.
What it created was a device with a consistent aspect in both open and closed modes, a clever software experience to make the best use of the space on what is now the thinnest iPhone ever. Software controls move to the side of the device, there's a TouchID fingerprint reader under your thumb for security (no FaceID here), and the FaceTime camera sits underneath the display, tucked out of sight until you need it.
And to keep it all together, it's wrapped in aerospace-grade aluminium in the frame, features strengthening bars and hardware under the screens and it's wrapped in Ceramic Shield 2-coated glass. It even makes a satisfying little clap when closed thanks to the clever placement of magnets.
Cameras are similar - but certainly not the same - as the iPhone 18 Pro. There's a 48-megapixel main and wide camera, plus a 2x 12-megapixel camera for your zoom needs.
Thanks to the new form factor, there are loads of clever new features. Far too many to list here, however, some of my favourites that are new and different to previous iPhones I have used include upgraded FaceTime so you can see people on the front and back cover, better camera controls so you can see yourself on the front screen while someone else is taking the photo, and the ability to use Apple Pencil for sketching and writing on the go.
iPhone 18 Pro now has a variable aperture in the camera
Apple wants its smartphone camera to be more like a "real" camera. In a big step-change, Apple has now introduced a variable aperture into the camera hardware so it can better adjust the amount of light coming into your photo. This means better low light performance with 50% more light allowed into the sensor.
Underneath the hardware is software improvements that allow for a range of smart editing tools. There are new cinematic effects to your video and audio you can apply after you capture it. There's also more access to "pro"-level image edits like changes to the white balance, shutter speed and motion blur, all post-capture. Plus there's new 'grain control' for a more natural look to your images.
There's also smarter focus tracking when shooting video for when you just want to focus on one person in a group.
Introducing Apple Reference Image
In the AI-powered, post-photo era, how can you tell what was actually in a photo when it was shot? Apple will now help with that by creating an image authenticity layer on every photo taken.
Invisibly, the sensor will digitally sign and create what it calls an "Apple Reference Image" with every shot taken on an iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. That way, you can always see what was originally in an image when it was captured in an industry-verifiable way.
Battery life improves again
Despite being a smaller device overall, iPhone 18 Pro features the same battery as the larger iPhone 17 Pro Max. You get 36 hours of video playback on the 18 Pro and 45 hours from Pro Max. Wired charging is also faster with 50% charge gained in 15 minutes of fast charging. Even five minutes of wired fast-charging provides around six hours of video playback, according to Apple.
Enhancements to Apple Intelligence – especially for photo editing
Apple Intelligence is heavily baked in to these new devices. According to Apple, it's the most advanced "on-device" AI model they have created.
These new capabilities come to life in iOS 27 to bring a better image cleanup tool, an extend and reframe mode to give your subject more breathing room in an image or change the perspective of a photo after it has been taken.
There's a newly-redesigned Siri app for all your AI interactions on the device. Siri can now search across your apps and provide contextual responses. It works across 300,000 apps, and you can even change the vocal tone and pacing in 16 supported languages. It also powers new features like the ability to monitor a webpage in Safari for changes such as pricing on something you're looking to purchase.
AI features mean a seriously powerful chip
As we know, AI requires a lot of power. So, adding a host of new AI features to the new software means you need hardware that can actually support it all. Introducing the new A20 Pro chip. Without going into the nitty gritty, according to Apple its the fastest in any smartphone. Apple calls it a "desktop-class" processor that won't burn your hand while holding it thanks to better thermal design.
Two new colours for iPhone 18 Pro
There's the black and white we know, as well as two new finishes: a light blue colour named Glacier, and a deep, wine-red aptly-called Burgundy.
And naturally, there are new colour-matched accessories, plus a new wrist-strap similar to last year's crossbody strap.
Use a single number across two phones
If you're someone like me who uses two phones – one for content capture and one for day-to-day life – you'll be happy to know that you can use the same number across two iPhones now.
Airpods 5
These are improvements to Apple's "open-ear" headphones rather than the tipped AirPod Pro models. There's a new acoustic design for 50% more noise reduction over the previous AirPods 4, and better battery life. The sound is more immersive and dynamic, and goes even longer without charging.
They're also now tougher, with better durability against rain, sweat and dust, with a smaller charging case on top.
They come in two variants: an entry-level model as above plus a new step-up model that allows you to change your volume via the headphone's 'stem' and allows you to charge the case wirelessly.
Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 get new health features
Probably the most significant update to Apple Watch across the board is the more enhanced health sensing hardware that collects your relevant health data both more accurately and more regularly. The upgraded module under both Watch models offer better skin contact for improved ECG readings, plus better LED lights and light capture for improved heart rate monitoring.
The new models use these upgraded sensors to measure your heart rate every five seconds – 60 times more frequently than the previous model. With this obsessive-level of scanning, you get a better picture of your heart-health overall.
The redesigned Health app has a new focus on heart rate variability (HRV). A new "Readiness" score takes those key health metrics and synthesises them into one solo score that tells you how capable your body is to take on the day, whether you're ready to jump in head first or whether you need to be gentler with your body. Apple Intelligence weaves all this data together for a relevant and intelligent health summary, plus personalised guidance. Your "Health Age" can show how your health metrics align with your actual age – and what is having the biggest impact on your health age and how to fix. And "Longevity" features are designed to give you info on how you might even be able to live longer.
Apple Watch has always been an important accessibility tool, which is now being improved. Sound Recognition – once only on iPhone – now lives on the Watch and can can detect things like ringing door bells, sirens and more. Another new feature called "Live Rewind" uses Siri's AI dictation abilities on the Watch to give you the ability to re-read the last 15 seconds of what was said if you miss it. Beyond accessibility, that Siri Recap feature can also give you key points and a summary of daily conversations or meetings. You can turn on and off at any time, or set a schedule so it never records at night, for example.
For the Apple Watch 12 everyday battery remains up to 24 hours, but outdoor workout battery increases 25 per cent to 10 hours. A 15-minute charge now provides up to 12 hours of battery.
For the Ultra, battery increases to up to 50 hours for everyday use or 84 hours in Low Power Mode. A 15-minute charge adds up to 18 hours. New Max Extended Workout mode can track outdoor runs, walks and hikes for up to 45 hours, including GPS readings every second.
As for colours and materials, Space Grey, Black, Light Gold and a new Dark Bronze finish come in recycled aluminium material. If you prefer the recycled titanium with its polished shine, there is a gold and a silver finish. There is also a new and very chic ceramic finish in Pearl White and Night Blue. Apple Watch Hermès 12 will get a new Radiant Gold titanium finish with a matching band. Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 4 also gets a new titanium band.
Pricing and release dates
The iPhone Duo starts $3,499 and will drop on 23 October.
iPhone 18 Pro starts at $2,099 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $2,299, and both drop on 18 September.
Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $649 and Apple Watch Ultra Series 4 starts at $1,349, both also drop on 18 September.
Airpods 5 starts at $219 with a release date of 18 September too.
