Last updated: 10 September 2026, following Apple's "Surprise and Shine" keynote
The split launch we told you to expect has happened exactly as the rumours described it. On 9 September, Apple confirmed the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first-ever foldable iPhone — and left the standard iPhone 18 out of the lineup entirely, holding it back for spring 2027. It was also the first keynote under new CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on 1 September.
The one genuine surprise: after a year of rumours calling it the "iPhone Fold" or "iPhone Ultra," Apple has named its foldable the iPhone Duo.
Here's everything confirmed, plus links to our full breakdown of each model.
Keeping an older iPhone going in the meantime? Browse our iPhone cases and accessories while you weigh up whether to upgrade.
The three new iPhones, at a glance
| Model | Price | Pre-order | On sale |
| iPhone 18 Pro | £1,199 | Sat, September 12th | Fri, September 18th |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | £1,299 | Sat, September 12th | Fri, September 18th |
| iPhone Duo | £1,999 | Fri, October 16th | Fri, October 23rd |
Both Pro models are £100 more than their iPhone 17 equivalents. Apple hasn't explained the increase beyond acknowledging that some price rises were "unavoidable."
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
Confirmed for the two Pro models:
- Chip: A20 Pro, Apple's first 2-nanometre chip, with a 6-core CPU and a dual Neural Engine Apple is pitching heavily around on-device AI
- Camera: a 48MP triple-camera system with, at last, a genuine variable aperture on the main lens (ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0), plus up to 8x optical zoom
- Display and design: unchanged sizes at 6.3in and 6.9in, with a smaller Dynamic Island that can now show three Live Activities at once
- Battery: the Pro Max is rated for up to 45 hours of video playback, which Apple is calling the longest battery life of any iPhone
- Colours: Black, Silver, Glacier (light blue) and Burgundy — a deep red replacing last year's Cosmic Orange
That's the headline version. For the full spec sheet, camera samples and our take on whether it's worth upgrading from an iPhone 17 Pro, read our dedicated guides to the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Either way, it's worth having protection ready before it arrives — see our iPhone 18 Pro cases and iPhone 18 Pro Max cases.
iPhone Duo: Apple's first foldable
This was the actual headline of the keynote. The iPhone Duo is a book-style foldable with a 5.4in outer display and a 7.6in inner display that Apple says is its most immersive screen yet. The frame is grade 5 titanium, the hinge is a titanium-and-aluminium blend, and the whole thing carries IP68 water and dust resistance — not something every foldable on the market can claim.
John Ternus called it "the most transformational change to iPhone since the original," which is the kind of line every Apple keynote includes somewhere, but the spec sheet backs it up more than usual: it's the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever made, and it comes in just two colours, Star White and Night Sky.
It's also the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold, starting at £1,999 for 256GB and rising to £3,199 for 2TB — a full £700 more than the equivalent iPhone 18 Pro Max at every storage tier. It won't ship until 23 October, over a month after the Pro models.
We've gone deep on the hinge, the crease, the camera trade-offs and whether it's actually worth the premium in our full iPhone Duo guide — and we'll have iPhone Duo cases ready before it lands.
What about the standard iPhone 18?
Still delayed. Apple confirmed the regular iPhone 18 isn't part of this launch and is expected alongside a budget iPhone 18e in spring 2027. If a standard iPhone is your usual upgrade, this is a longer wait than you're used to — but at least it's no longer a rumour, it's confirmed.
Should you buy now, or wait?
If you want a Pro model, there's nothing left to wait for — pre-orders open Saturday. If you're tempted by the Duo, the six-week gap before it ships gives you time to see real reviews before committing to that £1,999 starting price.
If budget is the bigger concern, keep an eye on the iPhone 17 Pro over the next few weeks. Outgoing models typically see their first real discounts in the fortnight right after a new launch, and this year should be no different.
Whichever one you end up with, a case from day one is cheap insurance against the first-week scratch that seems to find every brand-new phone.
Quick questions, answered
What's Apple's foldable iPhone actually called?
The iPhone Duo. Not the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra, despite over a year of rumours using those names.
How much more expensive are the new iPhones?
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are both £100 more than last year's equivalents. The iPhone Duo starts £700 above the Pro Max.
When can I buy one?
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: pre-order 12 September, in shops 18 September. iPhone Duo: pre-order 16 October, in shops 23 October.
Is the standard iPhone 18 coming later this year?
No. It's confirmed for spring 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e.
Final thoughts
Apple's most unusual iPhone launch in years turned out almost exactly as rumoured — right down to skipping the standard iPhone 18 — with one genuine twist in the foldable's name. For the full detail on each model, head to our dedicated guides linked above; for everything else, we'll have you covered with cases and accessories for all three from launch day.
Take a look at our full range of iPhone cases, screen protectors and accessories to be ready as soon as yours arrives.
