Apple Event 2026: Which New Device Fits You Best?

Apple has just folded the rulebook. Here is everything inside the 2026 iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods lineup — with Indian pricing, release dates, and an honest look at how it compares to Samsung.

For years, Apple's September presentation had a predictable script: a little improved camera, a slightly speedier processor, and a new pastel color. This year, that script was ripped up. On September 9, 2026, under new CEO John Ternus (who took the stage just eight days after succeeding Tim Cook, now executive chairman), Apple did more than merely update the iPhone; it officially introduced the foldable device, a little over a decade following rumors began. Along with the iPhone Duo, Apple released the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the health-focused Apple Watch Series 12, the endurance-focused Apple Watch Ultra 4, and the subtly redesigned AirPods 5. This was not an incremental Tuesday. Apple was making a big bet that customers are willing to open their phones, trust an AI assistant with their inbox, and pay a premium for it all. Here's what has been unveiled, what it costs in India, how it compares to Samsung and the rest of the Android world, and if any of it is worth your money.

iPhone Duo: Apple's First Foldable, Finally

The iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable iPhone, takes center stage. When unfurled, it has a 19.26 cm (7.6-inch) Super Retina XDR inner display, which is 50% bigger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a 13.26 cm (5.4-inch) outside display with the same aspect ratio, so nothing looks stretched or clipped when closed. The inside panel has a proprietary nano-texture coating to reduce glare and is made of ten ultra-thin layers engineered to fold flat without a noticeable wrinkle. It is powered by an under-display FaceTime camera that disappears until you need it. The vapor-cooled A20 Pro CPU, which has a dual 16-core neural engine, is linked with an iPhone-first twin-battery system that can provide up to 31 hours of movie playback on the inner display and 44 hours on the outer one. The camera is a 48MP Dual Fusion system (48MP Fusion Main + 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide), with foldable-specific features such as Duo Preview (which allows your subject to watch a live preview on the outside screen), Kid Cue, and Smart Take. It is made of Grade 5 titanium, has a Ceramic Shield front and back, is IP68 certified, and uses Touch ID rather than Face ID because it is incorporated into the side button. The storage capacity ranges from 256GB to 2TB and is eSIM-only.

India pricing: the iPhone Duo starts at ₹2,99,900 and rises to ₹4,49,900 for the top storage tier. Pre-orders open on 16 October 2026, with sales beginning 23 October.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: The "Boring" Upgrade That Isn't

Don't overlook the iPhone 18 Pro, which is undoubtedly the more useful phone for most people. It's available in two sizes (6.3-inch and 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR screens) and four new finishes: black, silver, glacier, and a rich new Burgundy. The iPhone’s star feature is the 48MP Fusion Main camera. It is the first to include a variable aperture. It cycles through ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8, and ƒ/4.0 to achieve a balance between low light and depth of field automatically. The device also includes a 48MP ultrawide camera and a 48MP telephoto lens. Together, they offer up to 8x optical-quality zoom and a 16x total optical range. Apple also claims the longest battery life ever in an iPhone, with the Pro Max delivering up to 43 hours of video playing owing to a larger battery and a next-generation vapor chamber that triples cooling surface area for up to 40% better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro. Charging is also faster when using a compatible adapter, reaching 50% in around 15 minutes. It uses the same A20 Pro processor as the Duo, but with the upgraded C2 modem for quicker uploads and improved cellular efficiency.

India pricing — iPhone 18 Pro: ₹1,64,900 (256GB), ₹1,89,900 (512GB), ₹2,39,900 (1TB), ₹3,14,900 (2TB).

India pricing — iPhone 18 Pro Max: ₹1,79,900 (256GB), ₹2,04,900 (512GB), ₹2,54,900 (1TB), ₹3,29,900 (2TB).

Pre-orders began on 12 September 2026; retail sales start 18 September.

Apple Watch Series 12: The Most Health-Aware Watch Yet

The Apple Watch Series 12 features a new Health Reading System with bigger, more power-efficient green LEDs, which Apple claims provide the most precise heart rate reading in a wearable. It now collects background heart rate measurements every 5 seconds (60 times more frequently than Series 11) and HRV readings every 5 minutes (24 times more frequently), which go into a new daily "Readiness" score that informs you whether to push hard or relax. It also has Ceramic Shield 2 on aluminum versions (60% harder than the original Ion-X glass), up to 24 hours of battery life, and eight finishes in 42 mm and 46 mm casings made of aluminum, titanium, and ceramic.

India pricing: from ₹56,900. Pre-orders are open now, with sales commencing 18 September.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: A Battery You Genuinely Can't Outrun

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 retains its 49 mm titanium casing (natural or black) but increases battery life to up to 50 hours of everyday usage and a truly insane 45 hours of Max Extended Workout tracking, which Apple claims is enough to cover a 160 km ultramarathon. It inherits a Series 12 with an upgraded health-sensing system and readiness score, as well as the sapphire crystal display, MIL-STD-810H durability testing, and a WR100 water-resistance rating appropriate for recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters.

India pricing: from ₹1,09,900. Pre-orders are open now; sales from 18 September.

AirPods 5: The Quiet Upgrade

AirPods 5 don't appear much different, but Apple says they have up to 1.5x more active noise cancellation than the previous AirPods 4 with ANC, owing to a revamped acoustic architecture and next-generation adaptive EQ. They are IP57-rated for dust, sweat, and water resistance, feature customizable spatial audio, and bring live translation and hands-free Siri AI to a mainstream price range. Price: ₹14,900 for the regular case, ₹17,900 for the version with the wireless charging case. Both are currently available to pre-order, with sales beginning on September 18.

India pricing: ₹14,900 for the standard case, ₹17,900 with the wireless charging case. Both are available to pre-order, with sales beginning 18 September.

The Real Story: Siri AI

Every one of these items has Siri AI, Apple's redesigned conversational assistant powered by Apple Intelligence. It's intended to have natural back-and-forth conversations, extract personal context from emails and photographs, perform actions within applications, and sync talks across devices via a dedicated Siri app. It will initially be available in English first and will not be available in the EU at launch, serving as a reminder that even in 2026, Apple's most ambitious software feature is still arriving unevenly around the globe.

How Does This Stack Up Against Samsung and the Rest?

Apple is late to foldables by any metric. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series has gone through eight or more iterations, while Chinese companies such as Honor and Huawei have pushed foldable hinges and thinness further and for less money. Instead, the iPhone Duo brings Apple's usual combination of tight software integration and resale value; iPhones have historically held their value far better than Android foldables, and Apple's ecosystem lock-in (iMessage, FaceTime, and AirDrop) is a genuine switching cost that Samsung has yet to fully crack. On the pro side, Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra and its predecessors continue to outperform the iPhone in terms of raw zoom range and RAM, while Google's Pixel series stays a step ahead in terms of pure computational photography techniques. However, the variable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro is a true first for Apple, bridging a long-standing gap. In wearables, Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra and Garmin continue to lead in multi-day battery life for dedicated sports; however, the Ultra 4's 45-hour extended tracking significantly closes the gap. In earbuds, Sony and Bose continue to battle fiercely for raw ANC performance, but few can beat Apple's smooth cross-device transition.

Should You Buy One?

If you reside in Apple's ecosystem and want the biggest screen Apple has ever delivered and don't mind paying a premium for a first-generation product, the iPhone Duo is a really intriguing gadget, but it's also a pricey bet on Apple getting foldable durability right on the first attempt. For the majority of consumers, the iPhone 18 Pro is a safer, yet still outstanding, choice. If you're an endurance athlete who is sick of recharging your watch in the middle of the week, the Ultra 4 is almost a no-brainer, and the Watch Series 12 is a significant improvement in health if you care about HRV and readiness tracking. One unanswered topic worth considering is whether a $2,000-plus foldable phone solves a problem that most people have or if Apple is just producing a new one to market. That's up to you to decide with your pocketbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I buy these in India?

When can I buy these in India? The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are available for pre-order today (starting September 12), with sales beginning September 18, 2026. The Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 are also available for pre-order, with a September 18th arrival date. The iPhone Duo is available for pre-order on October 16, with sales beginning October 23, 2026.

Is the iPhone Duo a flip phone or a book-style foldable?

It is a book-style foldable, similar in idea to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold, rather than a flip phone like the Z Flip.

Does the iPhone Duo have Face ID?

No — it uses Touch ID embedded into the side button, as a foldable display doesn't readily support Face ID technology.

What’s actually new about Siri AI?

It's a redesigned, more conversational Apple Intelligence-powered assistant that can have back-and-forth conversations, conduct actions across applications, and bring in personal context—a huge improvement over the previous, more rigid Siri.

How does the iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture actually help?

The lens opening physically increases from ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0. This change lets in more light in dim conditions. It also enhances the depth of focus for crisper backdrops. Earlier iPhone cameras could not do this.

Is the Apple Watch Ultra 4 worth it over the Series 12?

The Series 12 offers nearly identical health tracking for a lower price. You only need a different model if you require extraordinary battery life or engage in serious, multi-hour endurance sports.