Last-Minute Apple Event Report Details $2,000 iPhone Duo, Watch Features, and AirPods 5

Apple's first foldable iPhone will be called the iPhone Duo and start at roughly $2,000, according to a last-minute Bloomberg report ahead of today's 'Surprise and Shine' event. The report also details new Apple Watch capabilities and price increases for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.



iPhone Duo
The foldable's reported name differs from the iPhone Ultra name used internally. Its entry-level configuration is expected to include 256GB of storage, with higher-capacity versions reaching approximately $3,000.


Memory shortages have pushed component costs beyond Apple's original targets. The company is reportedly absorbing some of those increases on the base model while passing more of the expense along to customers buying additional storage.

The device is expected to pair a short, wide design with Apple's A20 Pro chip and C2 modem. Its larger display would support side-by-side apps and iPad-like multitasking, while the camera system would include two rear 48-megapixel cameras and a 12-megapixel camera for video calls.

Among the newly reported details are a magnetic hinge system and Apple Pencil support. White and dark blue finishes are planned, with sales beginning as early as October.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
Both Pro models are expected to cost $100 more than their predecessors. Their designs would remain largely unchanged, although a burgundy red finish is set to replace the orange option.


Camera upgrades include new lenses and professional software controls, with a mechanical aperture coming to at least the larger model. That would allow finer control over depth of field and improve low-light photography. Code in the iOS 27 beta has already pointed to unannounced camera controls and image-processing changes that may support a variable physical aperture.

A smaller Dynamic Island would let users switch between three live tasks rather than two. Other expected improvements include the A20 Pro chip, longer battery life, and a revised vapor chamber for cooling.

The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are not expected at today's event. Those models are slated for next year.



Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4
A newly reported Apple Watch feature would analyze the wearer's day and provide a summary of activities, including conversations. Bloomberg describes it as privacy-focused and says the system does not record or store audio and cannot display a transcript.

The watches are also expected to introduce the Readiness app, a variant of Vitals with health and fitness insights aimed at competing with Oura and Whoop. These capabilities would arrive alongside a revamped Health app on iPhone.

Hardware changes include new colors and updates to cases and bands, with a ceramic case returning to the Series 12 lineup. The Ultra 4 is also expected to gain longer battery life.

AirPods 5
New entry-level AirPods 5 are expected in versions with and without a wireless charging case. The earbuds are also said to bring substantially improved noise cancellation.

Higher-end AirPods with built-in camera sensors for analyzing the surrounding environment had been planned for the event, but those models are now delayed until next year.



Today's presentation will be John Ternus' first iPhone launch as CEO following the September 1 leadership transition. Tim Cook, now executive chairman, is expected to watch from the audience rather than participate in the presentation.

The September 9 keynote begins at 10 a.m. Pacific / 1 p.m. Eastern. Follow our live blog for updates and images as the announcements happen.