Apple debuts passport-shaped foldable phone, called Duo

Apple made waves on Wednesday with the debut of its first foldable phone, named Duo. This new addition to the company's flagship product lineup features a passport-sized, rounded-edge design that opens to reveal a wide, horizontal screen, which can also be viewed vertically. When folded, Duo showcases a smaller, single screen on its front.

The company emphasized that Duo is the thinnest phone in the market at the time of unveiling. The foldable phone event, held under the leadership of new CEO John Ternus, marked a significant overhaul of Apple's flagship product since the removal of the physical home button from the iPhone X in 2017.

The event showcased the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple's latest models, which do not fold. Pricing for these devices starts at $1,199 and $1,299, respectively, marking a $100 increase from the starting prices of their predecessors. Apple also showcased a new feature aimed at addressing concerns over AI-generated and manipulated images.

This feature, called "Apple Reference Image," will help prove the authenticity of images captured using the new iPhone 18 Pro cameras and also supports the emerging SynthID standard for identifying AI-created or edited images. The Apple Reference Image feature will not be available in the EU or China.

Apple's new A20 Pro chip, set to be included in the iPhone 18 Pro, promises to enhance the device's AI capabilities by enabling advanced AI models to run directly on the iPhone. Apple Intelligence and Siri will be front and center during this AI-focused presentation, with the company leveraging its massive hardware base to integrate AI seamlessly into everyday experiences. Analysts view this move as a strategic step towards embedding AI as an integral part of Apple's everyday ecosystem.