NEW YORK (Kashmir English): Technology company Apple has officially opened pre-orders for its new flagship smartphones, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
According to details, the Apple Store is back online, allowing customers to pre-order their preferred models and configurations of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Reports indicate that this time, instead of requiring customers to repeatedly refresh the website, Apple has introduced a new queue system; users must wait for their turn, and the order page will open once their position in the queue is reached.
Prior to the launch of pre-orders, Apple provided customers with an option to prepare their orders in advance, allowing buyers to select their preferred configurations and payment methods beforehand.
Once pre-orders began, this pre-selected information helped expedite the checkout process.
Apple had set a specific time for the start of iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders. Pre-orders opened at 5:00 AM Pacific Time (8:00 AM Eastern Time); however, the time at which different users gained access to the Apple Store website and app varied.
According to reports, some buyers gained access to the Apple Store earlier than others, depending on factors such as the access method used and their geographic location.
Delivery dates for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are likely to be affected by high pre-order demand.
Delivery dates, particularly for popular colors, storage capacities, and specific configurations, could quickly shift to later timeframes.
Apple unveils iPhone Duo as its first foldable iPhone
Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, marking the company’s entry into the foldable smartphone market with a device that combines a large inner display with a compact outer screen.
The new foldable iPhone features a 7.6-inch inner display when opened and a 5.4-inch outer display when folded. Apple says the design offers a larger viewing area for entertainment, gaming and multitasking while remaining compact enough to carry comfortably when closed.
When unfolded, the iPhone Duo becomes the thinnest iPhone ever made. The inner display also features a nano-texture finish designed to reduce glare and improve visibility in different lighting conditions.
Large Display and New Hinge Design
The two displays use the same aspect ratio, allowing content to scale proportionally as users move between the inner and outer screens. Apple says the outer display provides around 90% of the screen area available on the iPhone 18 Pro, despite the foldable’s compact form when closed.
A newly designed precision hinge is another key part of the device. Apple says the hinge provides a smooth opening and closing experience while being engineered to withstand long-term use.
The company has focused heavily on durability, aiming to address one of the major concerns surrounding foldable smartphones.
The iPhone Duo is powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip, which is designed to handle demanding applications, gaming and multitasking.
To manage heat generated during intensive use, Apple has developed a custom vapour chamber thermal-management system. The device also uses a dual-battery architecture, which Apple says helps deliver strong performance while supporting all-day battery life.
The combination of the new processor, cooling system and battery design is intended to make the foldable perform more like Apple’s high-end Pro models rather than a compromise device.
Advanced Camera System
Apple has also introduced an advanced camera system for the iPhone Duo. The foldable design gives users additional ways to use the cameras, including taking advantage of the device’s ability to position its screens differently while capturing photos and videos.
The company says the camera system is designed to provide the photography and video capabilities expected from a premium iPhone while taking advantage of the foldable form factor.
The iPhone Duo runs iOS 27, which Apple has redesigned to take advantage of the larger inner screen and the transition between the two displays.
Despite the new form factor, Apple says the software retains the familiar iPhone experience. Users can move between the inner and outer screens while maintaining proportional content scaling.
The larger display also provides additional space for multitasking, entertainment and other everyday activities.
Apple Intelligence and Siri AI
Artificial intelligence is another major part of the iPhone Duo experience. The device includes Apple Intelligence and updated Siri AI capabilities designed to provide assistance based on users’ personal context and everyday needs.
Apple says the AI features are designed to make the phone more useful in daily tasks while remaining integrated into the familiar iPhone interface.
With its foldable design, large inner screen, A20 Pro chip, advanced camera system and AI-powered software, the iPhone Duo represents a major change in Apple’s traditional iPhone design and marks the company’s first step into the foldable smartphone segment.
