John Ternus made his Apple CEO debut with the iPhone Duo, AI upgrades, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12 and AirPods 5 at the launch event today!!!
John Ternus stepped into the spotlight as Apple CEO for the first time, unveiling the company’s long-awaited foldable iPhone Duo alongside major AI and product updates.
The September 9 Apple launch event marked a new chapter for the technology giant after Ternus officially succeeded Tim Cook as CEO on September 1.
John Ternus makes Apple CEO debut
Ternus’ first major Apple product event as CEO carried considerable significance for the company.
The longtime Apple executive, who joined the company in 2001 and most recently led its hardware engineering organization, took center stage as Apple unveiled a lineup designed to push its products further into the foldable-phone and artificial intelligence era.
The biggest announcement was the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable smartphone and one of the company’s most substantial hardware changes in years.
Apple unveils foldable iPhone Duo
The iPhone Duo opens into a 7.6-inch inner display while using a 5.4-inch outer screen when folded.
Apple designed the device around a wider, passport-like form factor, allowing users to carry a compact phone that expands into a larger screen for gaming, entertainment and multitasking.
The Duo is powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip and includes a custom thermal-management system and dual-battery architecture.
Apple also redesigned iOS 27 for the foldable format. When the device is open, users can take advantage of features such as Split View, allowing two apps to appear side by side for the first time on an iPhone.
iPhone Duo price and release date
The foldable iPhone starts at $1,999 in the U.S., making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone.
The device comes in Star White and Night Sky and will be offered with storage capacities ranging from 256GB to 2TB.
Apple says preorders for the iPhone Duo begin October 16, with availability starting October 23 in more than 70 countries and regions, including the U.S. and India.
In India, the iPhone Duo starts at ₹299,900 for the 256GB model.
Apple puts AI at the center
The foldable iPhone was not the only major focus of the event.
Apple highlighted its expanding Apple Intelligence platform, including a redesigned Siri AI that is rolling out in beta with iOS 27.
The new Siri is designed to be more conversational and personalized, using personal context to make Apple’s voice assistant more useful across everyday tasks.
The iPhone Duo also uses on-device AI for new camera capabilities. One example is Smart Take, which can analyze a scene and automatically capture an image when people are ready for the shot.
Apple is emphasizing privacy as it expands its AI strategy, with a combination of on-device processing and its Private Cloud Compute approach for certain tasks.
iPhone 18 Pro joins the launch
Apple also unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max during Ternus’ first event.
The premium smartphones feature the A20 Pro chip and upgraded camera technology, including a variable-aperture camera system.
Apple also introduced AI-powered photography features, including tools designed to provide greater confidence around the authenticity and origin of images.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the Pro Max begins at $1,299.
Apple Watch and AirPods get upgrades
The event extended beyond the iPhone lineup.
Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, bringing updated chips and new health-focused capabilities to its wearable lineup.
The company also unveiled AirPods 5, adding active noise cancellation and other new controls while positioning the earbuds as a more accessible entry point into Apple’s updated audio ecosystem.
The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, while the Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799. AirPods 5 start at $129.
John Ternus begins a new Apple era
Ternus’ first launch event as CEO was about more than a collection of new products.
The unveiling of the iPhone Duo gave him the opportunity to introduce one of Apple’s most significant hardware changes in years while signaling how the company intends to compete in the rapidly evolving foldable and AI markets.
The move also represents a carefully managed transition from the Cook era. Ternus inherits a company with an enormous global ecosystem but faces expectations to deliver the kind of breakthrough products that can define Apple’s next generation.
With the iPhone Duo, Apple Intelligence, Siri AI and the iPhone 18 Pro now at the center of Apple’s product strategy, Ternus’ first keynote offered an early look at the direction of the company under its new CEO.
For Apple, the foldable iPhone may ultimately prove to be the defining symbol of that transition.
