Apple has launched its iPhone 18 lineup, introducing its first-ever foldable smartphone named the iPhone Duo, starting at a price of $1,999. Scheduled to become available starting October 23, the foldable device carries Indian pricing beginning at Rs 2,99,900 for the 256GB variant, Rs 3,24,900 for the 512GB model, Rs 3,74,900 for the 1TB version, and scaling up to Rs 4,49,900 for the top-end 2TB edition. New CEO John Ternus who assumed the role from Tim Cook on September 1 introduced the foldable as an entirely novel device that maintains the familiarity of Apple’s existing hardware, matching the approximate size of a passport when closed for convenient one-handed use.
Strategic Shift and Pro Model Pricing:
Moving away from the traditional strategy of launching both base and Pro models simultaneously, Apple announced only the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max for this generation. In India, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,79,900. Both Pro options are available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities, and come in Burgundy, Glacier, Silver, and Black finishes. This widespread price adjustment across the industry stems from climbing component expenses related to advanced chips and key hardware, mirroring similar trends from competitors like Samsung.
Major Hardware, Battery, and Camera Upgrades:
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup introduces massive performance optimizations, led by the new A20 Pro silicon, system-level enhancements, and a re-engineered battery architecture. The iPhone 18 Pro delivers up to 36 hours of video playback, whereas the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches up to 45 hours, representing a generational leap in battery efficiency. Simultaneously, the camera system receives a massive upgrade featuring a new 48-megapixel Fusion main camera equipped with a variable aperture for enhanced control over light and depth of field.
Additional Ecosystem Announcements:
Alongside the new smartphones, Apple debuted the Apple Watch Series 12 starting at Rs 56,900, the Apple Watch Ultra 4, and the AirPods 5 priced at $129 (available in India for Rs 14,900 with pre-orders beginning September 9 and store availability starting Friday, September 18).
