Apple’s biggest iPhone event in years is happening today and the hype is real. The September 9 “Surprise and Shine” event marks the debut of the iPhone Ultra (or Duo), which is Apple’s first-ever foldable phone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, new Apple Watches, and the first major keynote under new CEO John Ternus. A lot is riding on this one.
And yes, you’ve probably seen some leaks about the new devices at your favourite social media. Mostly to be real.
What Apple Is Announcing
The star of the show is almost certainly the iPhone Ultra/Duo. From the leaks and rumours, it’s a book-style foldable with a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch inner screen putting it squarely in Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 territory. It will run Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, the in-house C2 modem, and use Touch ID in the power button rather than Face ID. Thickness is expected to sit around 4.5mm when unfolded, which would make it one of the thinnest foldables on the market. Liquid metal hinges and ultra-thin glass are reportedly being used to minimise the crease which is a notorious weak point on every Android foldable to date.
The price is estimated to be around US$2,200. That’s laptop money.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are more iterative upgrades by comparison. Hardware changes include a variable-aperture main camera on the Pro Max, a smaller Dynamic Island, Apple’s new C2 modem, and the A20 Pro chip. The Pro Max battery is reportedly larger too around 5,567mAh, a solid bump from the 17 Pro Max.
I don’t think we’ve seen any info about a standard iPhone 18 so that might be left for another event end of this year or the next.w here]
Cautiously optimistic about the iPhone Ultra/Duo, especially it’s the first generation model. I loved iPhone Air but there are just a few important things missing from that device. Again, first generation model problem. Apple has a strong track record of polishing a category once it decides to enter it. For example, the original AirPods weren’t the first wireless earbuds, but they became the benchmark. I remember everyone hating the design (kind of like having an electric toothbrush head dangling from your ears) but a lot of other brands have adopted it.
I fully expect the iPhone Ultra/Duo to be the best-looking, best-built foldable anyone has shipped. Apple’s attention to the hinge and crease situation alone puts it ahead of where Samsung was at launch with the original Z Fold.
That said, this is still a first-generation product, and Apple’s first-gen products don’t always stick the landing. The original Apple Vision Pro was an impressive piece of engineering that most people couldn’t justify buying. The iPhone Ultra/Duo risks landing in exactly the same bracket: technically impressive, eye-wateringly expensive, and a bit ahead of what the software ecosystem can actually deliver on a foldable form factor.
What This Means for Australian Buyers
Here’s where it gets uncomfortable for anyone in Australia. Vodafone AU pricing leaked ahead of the event pointed to a starting price of around A$3,699 for the iPhone Ultra, according to Tom’s Guide. That’s 85% more expensive than last year’s iPhone 17 Pro. For context, a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at A$2,699 and Samsung has had years to iron out the kinks in its foldable lineup.
For most Australian buyers, my recommendation is simple: don’t rush the Ultra/Duo. The iPhone 18 Pro is the smarter spend right now. But if you are a truly Apple fan and want a foldable phone, I guess it’s an easy purchase.
What to Watch Next
Today’s event will settle the biggest unknowns — final pricing, actual availability dates, and whether the Ultra/Duo is launching in Australia in the first wave or slipping to 2027. John Ternus also takes his first major bow as Apple’s CEO, and the tone he sets matters beyond just the hardware. Apple has a sprawling roadmap ahead, reportedly including AI wearables, a touchscreen MacBook, and more. Today is just the opening move.
About Lauren Chan
Lauren Chan is a tech writer and software developer with a passion for any new kinds of technologies. Also a cat lover (who doesn’t)?
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