Apple Unveils Foldable iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro Series, but No Standard iPhone 18

Summary

Apple has announced the foldable iPhone Duo alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner display, a 5.4-inch outer display and support for the USB-C Apple Pencil. The Pro models introduce the A20 Pro chip, larger batteries and a variable-aperture main camera. Apple has not announced a standard iPhone 18, choosing instead to continue selling the iPhone 17. In Japan, prices start at 219,800 yen for the iPhone 18 Pro, 239,800 yen for the Pro Max and 364,800 yen for the iPhone Duo. Japanese preorders begin September 12, with sales starting September 18. Read the full article for specifications, pricing and what the unusual lineup means for Japanese consumers.

Apple introduces a new foldable iPhone for Japan and global markets

Apple has announced its latest iPhone lineup, headlined by the new foldable iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 Pro series. The company made the announcement on September 9, Pacific Daylight Time, while customers in Japan will be able to place preorders from September 12 and purchase the devices from September 18.

The launch marks a major development for Apple, as the iPhone Duo becomes the company’s first foldable smartphone. At the same time, Apple has taken an unusual approach to its mainstream lineup: no standard iPhone 18 was announced. Instead, Apple will continue selling the iPhone 17 as its main non-Pro model, while the existing iPhone Air will also remain available.

Japanese pricing and release schedule

In Japan, the Apple Store’s entry-level configurations are priced at 219,800 yen for the iPhone 18 Pro with 256GB of storage, 239,800 yen for the iPhone 18 Pro Max with 256GB, and 364,800 yen for the iPhone Duo with 256GB.

Japanese consumers are scheduled to begin preorders on September 12, followed by the official sales launch on September 18. Japan is traditionally an important market for Apple, with iPhones widely used by consumers, businesses, students and international residents. The availability of Japanese-language services, local Apple Stores and extensive carrier support makes the country a closely watched market for new iPhone launches.

iPhone 18 Pro focuses on performance and photography

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro system-on-chip, manufactured using a 2-nanometer process. Apple says the new processor delivers a 40 percent performance improvement compared with the iPhone 17 Pro series and up to twice the performance of the iPhone 16 Pro series.

Battery life has also been extended through larger battery capacity. The devices support high-speed charging that can bring the battery to 50 percent in 15 minutes, according to Apple. This could appeal to commuters and mobile professionals in Japan, where smartphones are heavily used for train navigation, digital payments, messaging and photography.

The main rear camera now includes a variable-aperture mechanism, giving users greater control over how much light enters the lens. This feature can help improve photography in changing lighting conditions and offers more flexibility for users who want to adjust background blur and exposure. The available colors are Black, Silver, Glacier and the new Burgundy finish.

iPhone Duo combines a large inner display with Apple Pencil support

The iPhone Duo opens to reveal a 7.6-inch inner display, making it larger than the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro. Its outer display measures 5.4 inches, allowing users to handle everyday tasks without fully opening the phone.

It is also the first iPhone to support pen input through the Apple Pencil with USB-C. Apple has modified the iOS user interface for the foldable format, allowing applications and content to adapt more naturally between the outer and inner screens. Like the Pro models, the iPhone Duo uses the A20 Pro chip.

The rear camera system features two 48-megapixel sensors: a wide-angle main camera and an ultra-wide camera. A 12-megapixel camera is placed on the outer display, while the inner FaceTime camera is embedded beneath the internal screen and appears when needed. The iPhone Duo will be offered in Star White and Night Sky.

A significant shift in Apple’s lineup strategy

The decision not to introduce a standard iPhone 18 gives the latest launch a distinctive structure. Apple is positioning the Pro models as its premium conventional smartphones, while the iPhone Duo represents a new category aimed at customers seeking a larger screen in a more portable design.

For buyers in Japan, the high price of the foldable model will likely make it a premium niche product, while the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may attract users seeking advanced cameras and performance. The continued sale of the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air also gives consumers more choice across different price points. With reservations opening soon, Japanese customers will be among the first to assess whether Apple’s foldable vision can become a practical part of everyday life.