Surprise and Shine event

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: Apple’s Surprise and Shine event is in the books! The iPhone Duo is real, and it definitely folds. New Apple CEO John Ternus didn’t, though. He acquitted himself admirably as he briefly uncapped Apple’s magic product pipeline.

We discuss how things went down and our reactions to iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5.

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

• How does iPhone 18 Pro stack up against iPhone 17 Pro? The new variable-aperture camera sounds impressive, but seriously … how much better do your iPhone pix need to be? And how much are you willing to spend for slightly better snapshots?
• The new Apple Watch models come with a powerful new chip that enables a pair of controversial features: Live Rewind and Siri Recap. Both involve the Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4 quietly listening in the background at all times. And that stirs real privacy concerns.
• Another pair of Apple Watch 12 and Ultra 4 features — your readiness score and Health Age — raise a different kind of question. Namely, just how scientific and useful are they?
• We wrap up the show with a show of hands: Who’s getting what new Apple products? The subject proves dicier than usual.

Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video version, embedded below.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 will bring two surprisingly futuristic new tricks: Live Rewind and Siri Recap, a pair of Audio Intelligence features that turn the smartwatch into an always-listening AI device.

Apple markets Live Rewind as a way to rewind the world around you. Actually, it can only turn the previous 15 seconds of a conversation into a text snippet. Still, it potentially could help people remember something that’s just been said.

Siri Recap, on the other hand, quietly takes notes during your conversations, then uses Apple Intelligence to create concise summaries you can refer to later. The goal is to help people stay focused on the moment.

The new Audio Intelligence features seem quite useful, but they make privacy advocates nervous. Fortunately, Apple really locked them down, hoping to prevent the Apple Watch features from being abused.

The internet is full of ridiculous hot takes about almost everything, and the introduction of the iPhone Duo is no exception. From “copying Samsung” to “resurrecting 10-year-old tech in a modern smarphone,” the best, worst and most hilarious hot takes show just how important the new foldable is likely to be.

Apple extended free satellite connectivity on older iPhones for another year. That gives existing users more time with the satellite features without having to pay to keep using them.

The company announced a similar extension during last year’s iPhone 17 launch and the year before that, too.

Judging by social media, the iPhone Duo looks like it will be a big hit, not least because the first folding iPhone appears to have no visible screen crease when opened to full size.

That’s a big drawback for other foldable devices. Here are some other revealing tidbits about the iPhone Duo.

Apple is bringing active noise cancellation to its most affordable wireless earbuds with the AirPods 5, which the company unveiled today during its Surprise and Shine event. The new open-ear model promises up to 50% more noise reduction than AirPods 4 with ANC, while adding improved sound quality, Siri AI and Live Translation. And these features come in the $129 version.

Today’s launch means you should take a hard look at your current AirPods. If they are three years old or more, it could be time to replace them.

Apple Watch Series 12 finally gets the upgrade long-time owners have been waiting for. The new model pairs the new, faster chip with a redesigned health sensing system. It also brings Apple Intelligence to your wrist for the first time.

Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12 and the beefier Apple Watch Ultra 4 on Wednesday during its Surprise and Shine event. Both watches arrive alongside a new watchOS 27 update. They share the same faster Apple silicon processor and advanced health sensors, and together mark one of the most notable hardware refreshes the Apple Watch has seen in years.

The just announced iPhone Duo is an iPad that fits in your pocket. The 7.6-inch screen is 50% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, but folds up to be easily pocketable.

iPad users are well accustomed to side-by-side multitasking, and the Duo offers that too. And the dual-display design enables some camera tricks no other iPhone can pull off.  

“With the largest display ever on iPhone that still fits easily in your pocket, combined with the power of A20 Pro, iPhone Duo helps you stay more immersed and productive wherever you go, whether you’re enjoying content, multitasking across apps, or gaming,” said John Ternus, Apple’s new CEO.

The iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture camera and longer battery life grabbed plenty of attention at Apple’s launch event. But the new iPhones pack plenty of other notable upgrades.

From adding Cinematic effects after recording to checking how a photo has been edited, there’s more to the new Pro lineup than its headline features.

Ready to buy the iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max? You may want to know how much Apple’s new iPhones cost and when you can get your hands on them.

Here’s a breakdown of prices, preorder dates and launch-day availability so you can plan your purchase.

UPDATE: This article is now moot because the wait is over! iOS 27 is now out for everyone:

• iOS 27 arrives with a smarter Siri and fixes you’ll actually notice

After months of beta testing, Apple will release iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate to the public this month. And at its “Surprise and Shine” event, the company finally provided a release date.

The new operating systems will be released publicly in less than a week, on September 14.

Apple kicked off its Surprise and Shine event Wednesday with a cinematic passing of the torch as former CEO Tim Cook introduced his successor, John Ternus.

Ternus then praised the company’s crown jewel — the iPhone, which he called an “intelligent personal hub” superpowered by artificial intelligence — before unveiling a slew of new products, including the first folding iPhone, known as the iPhone Duo.

Other new and upgraded products included the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5. Plus, various Apple execs also showcased new software features coming soon in iOS 27 and the company’s other software platforms.

“iPhone sits at the center of an amazing ecosystem of intelligent features and experiences that work seamlessly across the products you use every day,” Ternus said, before name-checking the new AI-powered Siri and advanced features in the new Apple Watch and AirPods.

“Simply put, iPhone brings powerful AI capabilities together with your personal context on the device you have with you all the time,” Ternus continued. “So today, we’re going to take these experiences even further with the next generation of iPhone.”

• See also: This is when iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate arrive

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro lineup apparently won’t get the huge price hike that many people predicted/feared. The new models will cost slightly more than their predecessors, according to a last-minute leak, but don’t expect a massive jump.

The same leak also covers previously rumored design details, such as big camera upgrades. The Pro Max will reportedly pack a variable-aperture lens for depth-of-field control and better low-light images. And for better heat dissipation, Apple will seemingly add vapor chamber cooling to the new iPhones.

Apple will call its first foldable iPhone the iPhone Duo, with a starting price of $2,000, according to a last-minute report. The starting price is lower than many previous predictions. But those who opt for configurations wth additional storage could pay nearly $3,000.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is tipped to arrive next month, with fresh leaks pointing to the biggest under-the-hood upgrade the rugged wearable has seen in years.

Apple already locked in a September 9 event, and the Ultra 4 is widely expected to headline the wearables side of that show. Rumors disagree on how much the watch’s exterior will change. But they do agree on one thing: A faster chip is on the way.

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: New Apple CEO John Ternus steps into his role with a wealth of hardware experience and a supremely promising product pipeline. And he’ll lead his first Apple event next week.

What will he hit us with during the Surprise and Shine event? And how will he change Apple going forward? There’s lots to ponder.

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

• Will the iPhone 18 Pro upgrades be big enough to lure us into upgrading? It looks increasingly unlikely.
• Rumors indicate the first folding iPhone won’t get a certain accessory that practically nobody wanted, but will get a feature that almost everybody loves. So that’s a win.
• What to expect from the next Apple Watch models, which should arrive next week as well.

Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video version, embedded below.

After years of rumors, Apple finally appears ready to launch the first folding iPhone. It’ll be the most significant shakeup to the basic design of an iOS device since… well, ever.

There’s no official confirmation of a foldable iPhone, of course. But the rumors are unusually detailed, covering everything from the screen size and hinge design to the processor, cameras and even the phone’s possible name.

Here’s what to expect, when and at what cost.

Apple’s September product launch event kicks off on Wednesday, and there is so much to look forward to. It’ll be a milestone for the company in multiple ways.

First off, the “Surprise and Shine” event be the first with John Ternus welcoming everyone, not Tim Cook. He became Apple CEO just days ago, and will surely be acting as ringmaster for all the announcments.

That will keep him busy, with plenty of new products on the agenda. The first folding iPhone is expected to be the star of the show, joined by the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, with potentially even more products in store.

Here’s everything expected to take the stage at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park on September 9.

The first folding iPhone will support MagSafe, according to a new report that may finally settle one of the last open questions about the rumored device.

Apple reportedly found some space for MagSafe’s magnetic array despite the thin design of the foldable, likely called the iPhone Ultra. New details also surfaced about pricing, launch timing and where Apple’s folding phone is expected to excel.

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: Apple sent out invites for its Surprise and Shine event this week, and the big question is, will there actually be any surprises on September 9?

The invite itself doesn’t reveal much, naturally. And a crazy deluge of rumors and leaks already painted a pretty thorough picture of what to expect from the iPhone 18 Pro, the first folding iPhone and more.

Still, it’ll be incoming Apple CEO John Ternus‘ first time running an event, and surely he’ll want to make it special. We discuss how he might make the event shine.

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

• This week’s rollout of new Mac mini and Mac Studio models gets us wondering if it’s time to upgrade.
• Apple’s new M6 chip sounds pretty amazing, but what about the M5 Pro?
• And finally, Leander shares a tip that will make charging your AirPods easier.

Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video version, embedded below.