Apple's 'Surprise and Shine' iPhone 18 series launch event - The Hindu

**Apple Unveils iPhone 18 Series at “Surprise and Shine” Event**

Apple held its highly anticipated “Surprise and Shine” launch event on September 5, 2026, introducing the iPhone 18 family, which includes the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the company’s first foldable device, the iPhone Duo. The event, streamed live to millions of viewers worldwide, highlighted Apple’s continued focus on premium design, performance upgrades, and new form factors. According to Apple’s press release, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are powered by the new A18 Bionic chip, feature a revamped titanium frame, and adopt a USB‑C port to comply with emerging global standards.

The iPhone 18 Pro series introduces a variable‑aperture camera system that can switch between f/1.5 and f/2.2 lenses, delivering superior low‑light performance and sharper portraits. The Pro Max adds a periscope telephoto lens with up to 10× optical zoom, while both models support Apple’s latest computational photography suite, including ProRAW and ProRes video at 8K resolution. Prices start at US$1,099 for the iPhone 18 Pro and US$1,299 for the Pro Max, with Indian pricing beginning at ₹1,29,900 and ₹1,44,900 respectively, as reported by Moneycontrol.

Apple also announced the iPhone Duo, a foldable iPhone that features a 7.2‑inch inner OLED display and a 6.1‑inch outer screen, positioning it as a direct competitor to Samsung’s Galaxy Fold line. However, the company disclosed that its new generative‑AI‑driven Siri features will not be available in Europe at launch, citing compliance with the EU’s AI Act and ongoing regulatory reviews. Analysts see the iPhone Duo as a strategic move to diversify Apple’s high‑end portfolio, while the omission of Siri AI in Europe may affect adoption rates in that market.