Samsung mocks the iPhone Duo as usual; the iPhone Duo doesn't rely solely on fingerprint recognition for unlocking; the iPhone Duo surpasses the Z Fold 8; Apple reveals details of the iPhone Duo's ten-layer screen; this is what Apple says about the folding effect on the iPhone Duo screen; the iPhone 18 Pro only uses eSIM in these countries; the iPhone Duo only supports the Apple Pencil with USB-C; Apple reveals the battery capacities of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max; the iPhone 18 Pro Max is heavier than the iPhone 17 Pro Max; the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max use different modems; the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max come with 12GB of RAM; Apple stops selling the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max; a lawsuit is filed against Apple for patent infringement related to Face ID; and Xiaomi unveils a competitor to the foldable iPhone Duo. And other exciting news on the sidelines…
Samsung mocks the iPhone Duo
Samsung used the iPhone Duo announcement to mock Apple's new foldable phone, posting a series of sarcastic comments on social media without mentioning Apple or the phone by name. These included: "Let us know when you're done reheating our leftovers," implying that Samsung believes Apple was late to the foldable phone market, and "Was it exciting? No. Did it actually happen? Yes." Samsung also used the hashtag #ItsTimeToSwitch in some of its posts.
Fingerprint scanning is not the only way to unlock an iPhone Duo.
The new iPhone Duo lacks Face ID for unlocking the phone with your face, which might disappoint users accustomed to the convenience of this method. However, Apple compensates for this by adding one of the best security features found in Macs. The iPhone Duo comes equipped with a Touch ID sensor integrated into the side button, which can be used to unlock the phone whether it's open or folded. Even better, if you use an Apple Watch, you can set it to automatically unlock the iPhone Duo without having to press any buttons, just like with other iPhones.
The iPhone Duo is dust-resistant with an IP68 rating and outperforms the Z Fold 8.
The iPhone Duo boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, making it superior to Samsung's latest foldable phone and on par with Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold. While the Galaxy Z Fold8 has an IP48 rating, the iPhone Duo offers complete protection against dust ingress and can withstand water up to a depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes, according to Apple.
Dust resistance is especially important in foldable phones, as dust can get into the hinge and cause damage over time. However, Apple states that water and dust resistance is not permanent and may decrease with normal use. To further enhance durability, the phone also features a titanium frame, a titanium hinge cover, and a 10-layer display.
Apple reveals what's inside the foldable iPhone Duo screen
The iPhone Duo's internal display uses a 10-layer, ultra-thin design engineered by Apple to withstand repeated use and folding. These layers include a cover made of a special material that is up to 40% tougher than other materials used in foldable phones, along with layers of strong glass and a titanium layer. Apple also used special adhesives that allow the layers to move smoothly over each other as the phone is opened and folded, reducing stress on the screen. The textured outer cover helps reduce light reflection and makes the fold less noticeable, with an additional scratch-resistant layer. The outer display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2, like the iPhone 18 Pro, while the back of the phone also features a Ceramic Shield layer. Both displays support ProMotion, Always On Display, and True Tone, with an external brightness of up to 3000 nits at peak.
This is what Apple says about the effect of folding on the iPhone Duo.
Before the launch of the foldable iPhone Duo, rumors suggested that Apple was working to minimize the crease visible in the middle of the screen, a feature common to all foldable phones that can become more noticeable with frequent opening and closing. When Apple was officially asked whether the inner screen showed a crease in the fold area, they described it as beautifully flat and smooth, but stopped short of explicitly denying its existence.
Apple explains that using a special textured layer reduces light reflections and helps make the fold less noticeable, while transparent adhesives allow the inner layers to move smoothly as the screen folds, minimizing stress. Apple hasn't disclosed the number of folds the phone can withstand, but says the hinge is designed for smooth and reliable operation over a long period and consists of more than 100 components, including supports and a titanium layer beneath the screen. For comparison, Samsung states that its Z Fold 8 can withstand up to 500 folds.
The iPhone 18 Pro only works with an eSIM in these countries.
Apple continues to gradually abandon the traditional SIM card slot in iPhones, and the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max versions come without a physical SIM card tray in Bahrain, Canada, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the US, and others. These are the same countries where the iPhone 17 Pro series relied solely on eSIM, so there is no change this year.
In the rest of the world, including the UK and most of Europe, the phone still has a slot for a traditional SIM card alongside eSIM support, while SIM card options vary in China. An eSIM is simply a digital SIM card embedded inside the phone instead of the usual plastic one. Apple says that eliminating the SIM tray allows for a larger battery, and they also consider eSIMs more secure because they cannot be easily removed from the phone if it is lost or stolen. Furthermore, multiple digital SIM cards can be stored on the phone, making it easier to use different numbers while traveling. The foldable iPhone Duo, however, comes with an eSIM-only design worldwide.
iPhone Duo arrives with iOS 27.1
Apple announced that the iPhone Duo will be released on October 23rd with iOS 27.1. The update will include adjustments to accommodate the device's dual screens and a new vertical docking interface, while the iPhone 18 Pro models will arrive in September with the base iOS 27 release. This suggests that Apple is adopting a phased schedule for releasing its devices and updates throughout the fall.
The iPhone Duo does not support the Apple Pencil Pro.
The iPhone Duo supports the use of the Apple Pencil. It features a USB-C port, but it doesn't work with the Apple Pencil Pro. This is likely because the phone lacks a magnetic charging surface for the Pro, which relies on magnetic charging when connected to compatible iPads. The USB-C version charges via a hidden port under a sliding cover. The USB-C stylus costs around $79, but it lacks some advanced features like pressure sensitivity, double-click functionality, and haptic feedback, though it does support tilt detection.
The iPhone Duo will be the first iPhone to support the Apple Pencil, and the pencil can be used on both the internal and external screens, but this feature will not be available at the phone's launch and will arrive later this year.
Apple reveals the battery capacities of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max
Apple has officially revealed the battery capacities of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max through the energy labels that European regulations require to be displayed on product pages. This data pertains to the models with a SIM card tray.
The iPhone 18 Pro battery has a capacity of approximately 4056 mAh, an increase of 1.7% over the iPhone 17 Pro.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max boasts a 5391 mAh battery, a significant 11.7% increase compared to the previous generation. This means the Pro Max offers a much larger battery capacity than the Pro.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is heavier than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but not thicker.
Contrary to rumors suggesting a thickness increase, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has the exact same dimensions as the iPhone 17 Pro Max: 163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm, but it is 16 grams heavier. Weighing in at 249 grams, compared to 233 grams for the previous generation, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the heaviest iPhone yet, surpassing the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which weighed 240 grams.
The iPhone 18 Pro weighs 211 grams, compared to 206 grams previously. This extra weight may be due to an increased battery capacity or a new cooling system, which is nearly three times larger for better heat dissipation, helping the A20 Pro chip deliver powerful performance for longer. The 18 Pro Max battery also offers up to six more hours of video playback than the previous generation. Despite weighing 249 grams, the 18 Pro Max is slightly lighter than the iPhone Duo, which weighs 254 grams, making it the heaviest iPhone Apple has ever made. Since the dimensions of the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max remain unchanged, the cases for the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max should be compatible with them.
The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max use different modems.
Apple appears to be using different modems for cellular connectivity in the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, at least in the US. The specifications page states that the iPhone 18 Pro uses Apple's new C2 modem, while this modem's name is not mentioned in the 18 Pro Max's specifications. Both phones support Apple's N1 chip, which provides Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Threadrix, while the C2 modem offers AI-powered enhancements for improved connection quality and stability, along with support for 5G networks.
The reason for the difference in modems between the two phones is still unknown, but previous rumors suggested that some iPhone 18 models might continue to use a Qualcomm modem, possibly due to component availability. It's likely that versions sold outside the US will use the C2 modem in both models. The C2 also boasts faster speeds and better power efficiency compared to the C1X modem, but it's unclear how its performance will compare to the modem used in the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
RAM capacity in iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max
Apple does not usually disclose the RAM capacity of its phones, but the specifications of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max have been confirmed through the latest version of Xcode 27, as both phones have 12GB of RAM, the same capacity as the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, meaning there is no increase over the previous generation.
As for the iPhone Duo, although Xcode does not support it yet, it uses the same A20 Pro chip found in the 18 Pro models, so it is expected to also come with 12GB of memory.
Apple releases final beta versions of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27
Apple has released the final beta versions of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 to developers and testers, the last step before the official release, provided no issues arise. The update introduces a smarter version of Siri called Siri AI, along with improvements to apps like Photos, Safari, and Wallet, as well as a standalone Siri app and new typing and visual assistance features. Apple has also improved system speed and performance, making app launches and file transfers faster, even on older devices, in addition to aesthetic enhancements such as a clearer Liquid Glass and options to control transparency.
Apple stops selling iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max
Following the announcement of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, Apple discontinued sales of the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max through its official store, a standard practice for the company when launching a new generation of its flagship phones. These two models, released in September 2025, were powered by the A19 Pro chip and featured a triple-lens rear camera system with 48MP lenses per lens, along with an 18MP front-facing camera. Apple also abandoned the titanium frame used in the previous generation, replacing it with a unibody aluminum design that incorporated a new cooling system to improve performance when the phone heats up. The displays measured 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively.
The iPhone 17 Pro started at $1099, while the 17 Pro Max started at $1199 in the US. With their discontinuation, the iPhone 18 Pro series became the latest generation, and Apple raised prices on several other iPhone models on its online store.
Lawsuit against Apple for patent infringement related to Face ID
TrinamiX, a subsidiary of the German chemical company BASF, has filed a lawsuit against Apple in the United States, accusing the company of infringing on seven patents related to the facial recognition technology used in Face ID. The company claims it spent years developing technology that prevents the phone's facial recognition system from being fooled by a photograph, a fake mask, or a silicone replica of a real person's face.
According to the lawsuit, the first version of Face ID that appeared with the iPhone X in 2017 did not use its technology, but Apple later began using similar technologies in some iPhones and iPads. The technology can distinguish between real human skin and materials such as photos and masks, helping to detect fraud attempts that traditional facial recognition methods might not be able to detect.
The lawsuit encompasses a wide range of Apple devices, including the iPhone 15, 16, and 17 models, the iPhone Air, and several iPad Pro models. TrinamiX is asking the court to prohibit Apple from manufacturing, selling, or importing the devices that allegedly infringe on its patents, in addition to awarding monetary damages and covering legal fees, and requesting a jury trial.
Xiaomi unveils a foldable iPhone Duo competitor
Xiaomi has officially unveiled the Xiaomi 18 Fold, the company's first foldable phone with a wide horizontal design, just days before Apple's expected announcement of its first foldable iPhone. The phone features a 5.38-inch external display and a 7.58-inch internal display, both with a 120Hz refresh rate and a brightness of up to 4000 nits, protected by ultra-thin, two-layer glass.
The phone features a new hinge, dubbed "Dragon Bone" by Xiaomi, which has undergone hundreds of improvements to deliver a more rounded design. It's also the company's first flagship phone to use the 3nm Xring O3 chip, which Xiaomi says offers a significant leap in processor and graphics performance with lower power consumption, along with a dedicated AI module.
On the back there are three cameras developed by the company in collaboration with Leica, with a resolution of 200 megapixels for the main camera, 50 megapixels for the ultra-wide camera and 50 megapixels for optical zoom, while the iPhone Duo is expected to have only two rear cameras without a dedicated zoom lens.
The phone runs HyperOS 4 and features a massive 6000mAh battery with 67W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. Its price starts at around $1638, while the top-of-the-line version reaches approximately $2235, with a special ceramic edition priced at around $2384. Xiaomi has not yet announced a release date for the phone outside of China, but predictions suggest the iPhone Duo will exceed $2000.
Miscellaneous news
Anthropic has added support for its Cloud app on CarPlay, allowing users to chat with the assistant directly through the car's screen hands-free. This feature comes after Apple, in iOS 26.4, allowed the integration of third-party chat apps with CarPlay, provided they adhere to Apple's official templates and support voice control. Cloud users can start a new conversation or continue previous ones from the CarPlay interface, with options to mute or resume the conversation. However, the app cannot control the car's functions or the iPhone itself.
Apple is facing a $2.7 billion lawsuit in London, accusing it of imposing stricter rules on app developers regarding App Tracking Transparency compared to its own advertising services. The case was filed with the UK Competition Court following a previous ruling that ordered Apple to pay £1.5 billion in App Store commissions, a ruling the company is still appealing. The new lawsuit requires court approval before formal proceedings can begin.
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