Apple launching $2,000 foldable iPhone, and software engineers train fly brain to play Doom
Apple is set to debut a roughly $2,000 (R32,000) foldable iPhone Duo on Wednesday as part of a wide-ranging product event, which kicks off at 19:00 South African time.
The showcase is slated to feature the iPhone 18 Pro, new Apple Watches, and updated AirPods. But the centrepiece of the launch will be the foldable smartphone.
Apple believes the pricey device will be both a status symbol and something that could help restore its reputation as an innovator.
Foldable phones haven’t traditionally sold well and have had drawbacks, such as shorter battery life, inferior cameras, and an unsightly centre crease. But the tide may finally be turning.
Technology and supply chains have evolved to the point where it’s possible to boost durability, reduce the crease problem and address other flaws. That could allow the phones to go mainstream.
The entry-level version will include 256GB of storage, with Apple offering higher-capacity versions that will take the price all the way up to roughly $3,000.
Apple blew through its cost goals due to the recent memory shortage, so it’s eating some of the expense to keep within reach of $2,000.
That still makes it costlier than rival models from Samsung Electronics and others, though the price is in line with Apple’s goal for a product with costly components.
It’s also passing the costs along to consumers who buy higher capacities. Like Samsung’s new Z Fold8, the Duo will have a short-and-wide design that is ideal for watching videos.
It will also include Apple’s new in-house C2 modem and the A20 Pro chip, as well as the ability to run side-by-side apps and handle iPad-like multitasking.
The event will serve another purpose: introducing new Apple chief executive officer John Ternus to the world. He took the helm on 1 September from Tim Cook, who now has the role of executive chairman.
Ternus, the company’s hardware chief since 2021, has emceed Apple product launch events before, but this will be his first as CEO.
Wall Street, customers and the media will be listening closely to how he introduces himself ahead of the product unveilings. The way he presents the latest devices will also be of interest. [Bloomberg]
5 important things happening in tech
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Software engineers training fly brain to play Doom: Following Google’s announcement that it had mapped the complete brain and nervous system of an adult male fruit fly last week, software engineers including Coinbase’s Alex Wormuth, have demonstrated the full MaleCNS v1.0 fruit fly connectome being trained to play Doom, as well as Super Mario 64. [Tom’s Hardware]
LG TVs can quietly scan users’ Internet networks for other devices: YouTube channels Gamers Nexus and Level1Techs collaborated with cybersecurity researchers to analyze LG TVs’ tracking capabilities, and found that models, including LG’s pricey G5 OLED TV, scanned users’ LAN for other devices, even while switched off. [Ars Technica]
Nintendo reveals limited edition Switch 2 for 40th anniversary of Legend of Zelda: Nintendo announced a new colourway for its Switch 2 handheld console as part of its first proper preview of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake this morning, and announced it will release a new Switch 2 colorway in honor of the franchise’s 40th anniversary. The console will launch on 29 October, one week before the remake releases. [Engadget]
Meta ran over 300 ads with suspected child abuse content: A report by nonprofit Tech Transparency Project found Meta Platforms has run more than 300 advertisements on Instagram and Facebook containing suspected child sexual abuse material in 2026. The ads collectively reached more than 29,000 people and typically used artificial intelligence to depict young children being molested, TTP said. [Wired]
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