Apple has unveiled its latest generation of devices at its September “Surprise and Shine” keynote, with one launch in particular marking a major change for the iPhone lineup.
The new iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable iPhone, joining the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. The event also marked John Ternus’ first major Apple keynote as CEO.
Here are the biggest announcements and what you need to know about their Singapore releases.
iPhone Duo
The biggest reveal of the keynote was the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
Closed, the device features a 5.4-inch outer display for everyday use. Open it up and it becomes a 7.6-inch display, the largest ever on an iPhone, with iOS 27 introducing new experiences designed specifically for the foldable format. Split View, for example, allows two apps to run side by side for multitasking.
The Duo runs on Apple’s new A20 Pro chip and features a Grade 5 titanium frame, Ceramic Shield 2 on the outer display and IP68 water and dust resistance. Its folding design also introduces new camera functions, including the ability to use the outer screen as a live preview when taking photos with the rear cameras.
For photography, there is a 48MP Fusion Main camera, 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera and a FaceTime camera hidden beneath the inner display. Apple has also brought Touch ID back, integrating it into the side button instead of using Face ID.
Available in star white and night sky, the iPhone Duo starts at S$3,099 in Singapore. Pre-orders open on 16 October, ahead of its release on 23 October.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with some of their biggest upgrades centred around the camera, performance and battery life.
Both phones are powered by the new 2-nanometre A20 Pro chip and feature a redesigned vapour chamber to improve sustained performance. The Dynamic Island has also been made smaller and can now display up to three Live Activities simultaneously.
The main camera remains a 48MP Fusion system, but now features variable aperture, giving users greater control over light and depth of field when shooting. Apple has also added more Pro camera controls alongside its updated computational photography features.
Battery life receives another notable upgrade. Apple rates the iPhone 18 Pro for up to 34 hours of video playback, while the Pro Max reaches up to 43 hours. The Pro Max also delivers up to six additional hours of video playback compared with the previous generation.
The iPhone 18 Pro comes in burgundy, glacier, silver and black, starting at S$1,899, while the Pro Max starts at S$2,099. Both arrive in Singapore on 18 September.
AirPods 5
The new AirPods 5 bring several features previously associated with Apple’s higher-end earbuds to its open-ear lineup.
Apple says its upgraded Active Noise Cancellation can remove up to 50 per cent more external noise compared with AirPods 4 with ANC. There is also a new acoustic architecture, next-generation Adaptive EQ and improved dust, sweat and water resistance.
Apple Intelligence also plays a bigger role this generation. AirPods 5 support hands-free access to Siri AI and Live Translation, allowing users to communicate across supported languages through their AirPods and iPhone.
In Singapore, AirPods 5 start at S$129, while the version with the Wireless Charging Case costs S$199. Both will be available from 18 September.
Apple Watch Series 12
For the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple is putting greater emphasis on health and recovery tracking.
The watch introduces a new Health Sensing System alongside the S11 chip, providing more frequent heart rate and heart rate variability measurements. These feed into a new Readiness score designed to give users a clearer indication of how prepared their body is for the day based on health, sleep and recovery data.
The Series 12 comes in aluminium, titanium and ceramic finishes, with colours including dark bronze, black, light gold, space grey, radiant gold, natural titanium, pearl white and night blue depending on the material.
Prices in Singapore start at S$599, with availability from 18 September.
Apple Watch Ultra 4
Rounding out the announcements is the Apple Watch Ultra 4, which builds on Apple’s outdoor-focused smartwatch with improved health tracking and longer battery life.
It uses the same new S11 chip and Health Sensing System, bringing higher-frequency heart rate and HRV measurements alongside the new Readiness score. Apple says the Ultra 4 can track outdoor workouts for up to 45 hours, while also introducing its latest on-device GPS system.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at S$1,199 in Singapore and will be available from 18 September.
A New Chapter for Apple’s Lineup
While the iPhone 18 Pro brings the expected improvements in cameras, performance and battery life, the iPhone Duo is easily the standout from this year’s announcements. Apple’s move into foldables introduces a genuinely new form factor to the iPhone lineup, albeit at a starting price of S$3,099.
Most of Apple’s new devices arrive in Singapore on 18 September, while those looking to get their hands on the iPhone Duo will have to wait until 23 October.