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Apple has officially unveiled its latest generation of iPhones, and 2026 could be one of the biggest years for the iPhone yet.

The company has launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while also introducing something iPhone fans have been waiting years to see: the foldable iPhone Duo.

The new range brings major changes to the camera, performance, battery life and Apple’s AI features — but the headline-grabbing new design is undoubtedly the foldable Duo.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are Apple’s new high-end smartphones.

Both are powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, which Apple says delivers significant improvements to performance and efficiency.

The biggest camera change is the new 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture.

Variable aperture gives photographers more control over how much light enters the camera, potentially making it easier to capture different types of photographs in challenging lighting conditions.

Apple has also introduced new Pro controls within the Camera app, giving users more direct control over their photography settings. (Apple)

New colours

The iPhone 18 Pro range is available in four finishes:

• Black
• Silver
• Glacier
• Burgundy

The burgundy option is particularly distinctive and gives the latest Pro models a noticeably different look from previous generations.

A big focus on battery life

Battery life is another area Apple has highlighted heavily with the iPhone 18 Pro.

The new models use updated battery designs alongside improvements to Apple’s silicon efficiency. Apple says the combination delivers a major improvement in battery performance.

The A20 Pro chip is also paired with a new-generation vapor chamber designed to help the phone maintain performance during demanding tasks.

That could be particularly useful for people who use their iPhone for gaming, video editing or other intensive applications.

Apple Intelligence and the new Siri

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of Apple’s iPhone strategy.

The iPhone 18 Pro models come with iOS 27 and the next generation of Apple Intelligence.

Apple is also introducing a significantly revamped Siri, with the company positioning the assistant as something that can understand more personal context and provide more useful assistance.

The idea is that your iPhone becomes more than simply a device for running apps — it becomes a more intelligent personal hub.

And then there’s the iPhone Duo…

Perhaps the biggest surprise of Apple’s 2026 iPhone launch is the iPhone Duo.

Rather than simply making another conventional smartphone, Apple has entered the foldable-phone market.

The Duo opens up to provide a much larger display while retaining the familiar iPhone experience when closed.

Apple describes it as having the largest display ever seen on an iPhone and says the design has been engineered to be both durable and versatile. (Apple)

The move puts Apple directly into a market where Samsung and other manufacturers have already offered foldable phones for several years.

The price reflects the technology, however. Apple’s UK store lists the iPhone Duo from £1,999, with pre-orders scheduled for October 16. (Apple)

How much does the iPhone 18 Pro cost?

In the UK, Apple’s official pricing starts at:

iPhone 18 Pro – from £1,199

iPhone 18 Pro Max – from £1,299

Both models are available with storage options ranging from 256GB all the way up to 2TB. (Apple)

That puts the Pro Max firmly into premium territory, particularly when buying one of the higher-storage versions.

When can you buy one?

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale in the UK on 18 September 2026.

Apple has already begun selling the phones through its stores and website, with customers also able to purchase them through mobile networks.

The new models are therefore available to buy now, rather than being a future release. (Apple)

Is it worth upgrading?

That depends heavily on which iPhone you currently own.

For somebody using an older iPhone, the combination of the new camera system, faster processor, improved battery technology and newer AI features represents a substantial upgrade.

For somebody with a relatively recent Pro model, however, the decision is less straightforward.

The iPhone 18 Pro’s variable-aperture camera and new AI features are among the biggest reasons to upgrade, while the new design of the iPhone Duo offers an entirely different proposition.

And there’s another option.

Apple is continuing to sell the iPhone 17, which currently starts at £899 in the UK, alongside the newer iPhone 18 Pro range. (Apple)

That means shoppers now have considerably more choice depending on how much they want to spend.

The biggest iPhone launch in years?

Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup is notable because the company hasn’t simply increased the specifications of its existing phone.

The iPhone 18 Pro introduces a more advanced camera system and the A20 Pro chip, while the iPhone Duo represents Apple’s first major move into foldable iPhones.

The result is a much broader iPhone range, from the more conventional iPhone 17 to the £1,999 foldable Duo.

For Apple fans, the biggest question may no longer simply be “Which iPhone should I buy?”

It could be “Which type of iPhone do I actually want?”