Apple Unveils iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and First Foldable iPhone

Apple used its keynote event on Wednesday to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside the company's first-ever foldable iPhone, in what the company billed as its "Surprise and Shine" showcase. The event, streamed live from Apple's Cupertino headquarters, was closely watched as one of the company's most significant product launches in years, given the long-rumoured foldable device and a broader refresh of the iPhone lineup.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 in the United States, while the Pro Max begins at $1,299, both representing a $100 increase over last year's equivalent models. Apple said the new devices are powered by its latest A20 chip and offer the longest battery life of any iPhone to date, with the Pro rated for up to 24 hours of use and the Pro Max up to 30 hours. The phones come in three finishes, including black, a silver shade called "glacier," and a burgundy option, and feature upgraded camera systems alongside an enhanced, AI-powered version of Siri.

The Foldable Iphone Takes Center Stage

The bigger story of the event was widely expected to be Apple's first foldable iPhone, a device the company has approached cautiously as competitors have offered folding smartphones for several years. The launch is seen as an important test of whether Apple can revamp its most important product line at a moment when smartphone innovation has increasingly shifted toward new form factors. Executives at the event, including Apple's John Ternus, framed the foldable as a natural evolution of the iPhone rather than a niche experiment, signalling the company's intent to compete more directly in the premium foldable segment long dominated by rivals.

Pricing and detailed specifications for the foldable model were central to pre-event speculation, with earlier reports suggesting a price point north of $2,000, reflecting the premium materials and hinge engineering required for a device of this kind.

What It Means for India

For Indian buyers, the event carries particular significance given the size and growth of the country's premium smartphone segment. While Apple has not historically confirmed India pricing at the moment of a global keynote, the company typically follows within days with local pricing and availability details, and retail delivery for the new lineup is expected to begin around September 18. Ahead of the event, several Indian technology outlets had estimated the iPhone 18 Pro could be priced in the range of Rs 1.35 to 1.45 lakh for India, though such figures remain estimates until Apple issues official local pricing.

India has become one of Apple's fastest-growing markets in recent years, both for retail sales and as a manufacturing base, making the local reception to the new lineup, and particularly the foldable model once it becomes available, a closely watched indicator for the company's next phase of growth in the country.

This is an original summary based on public reporting. See our editorial policy for how we source, write, and correct our stories.