Apple is preparing to unveil its next generation of flagship iPhones today, September 9, with the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the company’s first foldable iPhone named ‘Duo’ expected to headline the event.
While the foldable device has spent much of the rumor cycle under names such as “iPhone Fold” and “iPhone Ultra,” last-minute reporting now points to iPhone Duo as Apple’s official branding. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the Duo name is intended to reflect the device’s dual-screen design. The phone is expected to be introduced during Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event today at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
All three premium iPhones are therefore expected to make their debut today, although retail availability will not necessarily begin at the same time. The iPhone Duo is reportedly scheduled to go on sale as early as October, later than the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
Based on the latest reports and the rumored specifications outlined in the comparison graphic, here is how Apple’s three flagship devices could stack up.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max retain familiar display sizes
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature a 6.3-inch OLED display, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max moves up to a 6.9-inch OLED panel. Both are listed with 120Hz ProMotion, maintaining the smooth scrolling and adaptive refresh-rate technology associated with Apple’s premium iPhones.
Apple is also rumored to reduce the size of the Dynamic Island on both Pro models. Face ID remains part of the design, meaning Apple appears to be refining rather than replacing its existing biometric system.
The two devices are listed at approximately 8.75mm thick and are expected to use aluminum frames.
The iPhone Duo is a completely different proposition. The comparison information points to a 5.5-inch OLED outer display and a much larger 7.7-inch OLED inner display, with 120Hz ProMotion also expected.
The folding screen is described as being nearly crease-free, potentially addressing one of the most visible compromises associated with current foldable phones.
iPhone Duo could be remarkably thin when unfolded
Apple’s foldable may also stand out for its physical dimensions.
The device is rumored to measure around 5.5mm thick when unfolded and approximately 11mm when closed. Unlike the aluminum construction listed for the Pro models, the Duo is expected to use a titanium frame.
Touch ID could also make a return in a significant way. Instead of the Face ID system expected on the iPhone 18 Pro models, the foldable is rumored to integrate Touch ID into its side button.
The comparison graphic also points to a hole-punch-style front camera arrangement rather than the conventional Dynamic Island implementation used on the Pro models.
One important addition from the latest reporting is a magnetic hinge system. Gurman also reports that the device will support the Apple Pencil, potentially expanding its usefulness for writing, drawing and productivity when the larger internal screen is open.
A20 Pro chip and 12GB RAM expected across the lineup
Performance should remain firmly in flagship territory regardless of which model buyers choose.
The iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and Duo are all expected to use Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, reportedly manufactured using a 2nm process. The comparison graphic also lists 12GB of RAM for all three devices.
The latest reporting specifically confirms the A20 Pro as one of the major components expected in the iPhone Duo.
Apple’s new C2 modem is another common feature expected across the lineup, while the comparison information also lists an Apple N2 wireless chip for all three models.
Giving the foldable the same Pro-class processor as the conventional flagships would make clear that Apple sees the Duo as a top-tier iPhone rather than an experimental side product with reduced performance.
Pro models could still have the most versatile cameras
Camera hardware is one area where the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max appear to hold an advantage.
Both models are expected to feature a 48-megapixel wide camera with variable aperture, alongside a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera.
Variable aperture could become one of the headline photography upgrades. By changing the physical aperture of the lens, the camera could have greater control over incoming light and depth of field instead of relying entirely on computational processing.
The Pro models are also listed with 18-megapixel front-facing cameras.
For the iPhone Duo, the latest reporting points to a simpler camera arrangement consisting of dual 48-megapixel rear cameras and a 12-megapixel front camera.
That means Apple’s foldable may prioritize its display, hinge and thin chassis over matching the dedicated telephoto capabilities of the iPhone 18 Pro models.
Battery sizes could differ significantly
The rumored battery capacities also illustrate the different priorities across the lineup.
The iPhone 18 Pro is listed with a 4,288mAh battery, while the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max could receive a substantially bigger 5,567mAh battery.
The foldable sits between them at a rumored 4,883mAh.
Battery capacity alone will not determine real-world endurance, particularly for the Duo. Its large 7.7-inch internal display could consume considerably more power when fully opened, making the efficiency of the A20 Pro processor and OLED panels especially important.
On paper, however, the Pro Max has the largest battery of the three and would appear best positioned for buyers focused primarily on endurance.
Storage could reach 2TB on the Pro models
Apple is also expected to offer significantly expanded storage choices.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are listed in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB configurations.
For the iPhone Duo, the latest report says the entry-level model will include 256GB of storage, with higher-capacity versions pushing the price considerably higher. Gurman says a fully configured Duo could reach approximately $3,000.
That would place Apple’s first foldable firmly above even its traditional Pro flagships in terms of pricing.
iPhone Duo expected to start at $2,000
The comparison information puts the iPhone 18 Pro at around $1,199 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at approximately $1,299.
The iPhone Duo, meanwhile, is now reported to start at $2,000 for 256GB, with prices climbing toward $3,000 at the top end.
MacRumors also reports that Apple plans to sell the Duo in white and dark blue, updating earlier rumors that had pointed to black and silver finishes.
The Pro models, according to the comparison graphic, could arrive in Black, Silver, Dark Cherry and Light Blue.
Three very different flagship iPhones
Apple’s expected announcements today could create a premium iPhone lineup with clearer differences than usual.
The iPhone 18 Pro offers the smallest 6.3-inch package while retaining the triple-camera system, A20 Pro performance and up to 2TB of storage. The Pro Max increases the screen to 6.9 inches and pairs it with the lineup’s largest rumored battery.
The iPhone Duo is positioned differently. Its 5.5-inch outer screen, 7.7-inch folding display, titanium construction, Touch ID, magnetic hinge and reported Apple Pencil support make it a new category rather than simply a folding version of the Pro Max.
All three are expected to be unveiled today, but the Duo’s reported October retail release means buyers may have to wait a little longer to get their hands on Apple’s most radical new iPhone design.
iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Duo: Specs chart
