Tag: premiery

Foldable iPhone Duo: price in Poland, specifications, release date

iPhone Duo is the first foldable iPhone, known from leaks as the iPhone Fold. Apple unveiled it on September 9, 2026: the phone opens like a book, has a 7.6-inch inner display, a 5.4-inch outer display and Touch ID instead of Face ID. In Poland it costs from 9,999 PLN. Pre-orders opened on October 16 and sales start on October 23, but Apple’s online store currently delivers new orders only at the end of January 2027.

Updated October 21, 2026: we’ve added an overview of the first reviews, the delivery date for new orders, Apple Pencil support from iOS 27.2 and a comparison with the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

We waited seven years for a foldable iPhone after the debut of the first Galaxy Fold. In leaks it was also called the iPhone Ultra or iPhone 18 Ultra, and before the event we gathered all the reports in our iPhone 18 Pro launch preview. Apple has not explained where the name Duo came from.

Below you’ll find the specifications confirmed by Apple, Polish pricing, delivery times, a comparison with the iPhone 18 Pro Max and three compromises that get less attention. We covered the differences from Samsung separately in our comparison iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold 8. At the end there’s a practical section: how to charge the iPhone Duo and how to protect its displays.

iPhone Duo specifications: the key specs

Specification	iPhone Duo
Inner display	7.6″, OLED, 1878 × 2670 px, 120 Hz, matte finish
Outer display	5.4″, OLED, 1398 × 2034 px, 120 Hz
Dimensions folded	117.8 × 84.1 × 11.3 mm
Thickness unfolded	5.2 mm
Weight	254 g
Build	Grade 5 titanium, Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, Ceramic Shield on the back
Chip	A20 Pro with vapor chamber
Rear cameras	48 MP main + 48 MP ultra wide
Front cameras	12 MP Center Stage + under-display FaceTime camera
Biometrics	Touch ID in the side button
Battery	two batteries, up to 24 h of typical use
Fast charging	50% in about 20 min (60 W charger)
Wireless charging	MagSafe and Qi2 up to 25 W
Connector	USB-C (USB 3 up to 10 Gb/s, DisplayPort)
Connectivity	5G, Apple C2 modem, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6
Water and dust resistance	IP68 (6 m, 30 min)
SIM	Dual eSIM only
Storage	256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
Colors	Star White, Night Sky

Data: iPhone Duo technical specifications on Apple’s website

Left: the iPhone Duo unfolded; right: both colors, Star White and Night Sky. Source: Apple Newsroom

When does the iPhone Duo launch in Poland and how much does it cost?

In Poland, the iPhone Duo is part of the first launch wave and costs from 9,999 PLN for the 256 GB model. Pre-orders opened on Friday, October 16 at 2:00 PM, and sales start on Friday, October 23, 2026. On that day the phone launches in more than 70 countries and regions, with 28 more following on October 30.

So Poland is in the first wave of the launch. Apple’s online store already has the iPhone Duo configurator with prices in Polish złoty.

Storage	Price in Poland	Price in Germany	Price in the US
256 GB	9,999 PLN	2,299 EUR	1,999 USD
512 GB	10,999 PLN	2,549 EUR	2,199 USD
1 TB	12,999 PLN	3,049 EUR	2,599 USD
2 TB	15,999 PLN	3,799 EUR	3,199 USD

Leaks about the iPhone Fold pointed to a price of around $2,000, and they turned out to be right. The Polish price includes 23% VAT and the German one 19% VAT, while the US price is quoted before tax, which explains much of the difference after conversion. The 2 TB model costs 15,999 PLN, 5,700 PLN more than the iPhone 17 Pro Max with the same storage in Apple’s August price list.

When will the iPhone Duo be delivered? Delivery times for new orders

The few who ordered in the first minutes of pre-orders will get the phone on launch day. After that, delivery estimates slipped quickly: according to MacRumors, less than half an hour after pre-orders opened, they had moved to the end of January in most countries. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman writes about “severe supply constraints” caused by production difficulties.

Apple’s online store for Poland currently shows (as of October 21, 2026) delivery of new orders at the end of January 2027, for all storage options and both colors. The dates keep changing: 9to5Mac reports on orders whose delivery Apple has moved up, so check the current date in the Apple Store configurator before you buy.

What to have ready before you order:

An Apple Account signed in to the Apple Store online or the Apple Store app, with a saved delivery address and payment method.
Your chosen storage and color. The options are 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB, in Star White or Night Sky.
An eSIM from your carrier. The Duo has no SIM tray, so check whether your carrier offers eSIM and how to transfer your number to it.
A charger and a case. There’s no power adapter in the box, and for the fastest charging Apple requires a 60 W charger. We cover cases and screen protectors below.

iPhone Duo dimensions: folded and unfolded

Folded, the iPhone Duo is the size of a passport, and unfolded it is thinner than any previous iPhone. According to Apple’s specifications:

Specification	iPhone Duo
Dimensions folded	117.8 × 84.1 × 11.3 mm
Dimensions unfolded	117.8 × 164.6 × 5.2 mm
Weight	254 g
Outer display	5.4 inches
Inner display	7.6 inches

For comparison, according to 9to5Google the Galaxy Z Fold 8 weighs 201 g and is 9.7 mm thick when folded. The Duo is therefore noticeably heavier and thicker, which we discuss in more detail in the section on compromises.

Two displays and a hinge: how the foldable iPhone works

The iPhone Duo opens like a book, just like the Galaxy Z Fold. Folded, it’s the size of a passport: the 5.4-inch outer display offers 90% of the screen area of the iPhone 18 Pro. Open it and you get 7.6 inches, a display that Apple says is 50% larger than the one on the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

According to Apple, both displays have the same aspect ratio, so content scales proportionally and switching from the small screen to the large one is seamless. On top of that there’s ProMotion up to 120 Hz, Always-On and up to 3000 nits of brightness in sunlight. Both displays also support the Apple Pencil (USB-C), more on that below.

Display crease and matte finish

The inner display has a nano-texture finish, the matte surface known from the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. It reduces glare and, according to Apple, makes the crease less visible. The display is protected by a polymer layer that Apple says is up to 40% stiffer than the materials used in the industry so far.

The panel is sandwiched between layers of durable glass, bonded so that they slide against each other like the pages of a book. A titanium plate reinforces the whole assembly from underneath. The hinge is made of more than 100 parts and, together with a built-in magnet array, gives a secure, satisfying close.

Left: the outer and inner displays; right: Split View with Safari and the Siri app. Source: Apple Newsroom

iOS 27 on a foldable display

The system has a dedicated layout for the iPhone Duo. The Dock and navigation buttons move to the side, and the Dynamic Island appears vertically along the edge. When unfolded, you see two Home Screen pages, with Today widgets on the left.

The biggest new feature is Split View: two apps open side by side. No previous iPhone could do this, and Apple didn’t show this mode at the June iOS 27 presentation at WWDC 2026. Placed on a table, the Duo switches to StandBy on either display, even without a charger.

Netflix, Zoom and Slack already have versions optimized for the large display.

Apple Pencil on the iPhone Duo: which stylus and from when

Apple had promised stylus support “later this year”, but it’s arriving sooner. MacRumors and 9to5Mac confirmed on October 21 that the Apple Pencil works with the iPhone Duo starting with iOS 27.2: in the RC test build, the stylus draws, takes notes and scrolls in supported apps on both displays. According to 9to5Mac, the public release of iOS 27.2 is expected around October 26.

Only the Apple Pencil (USB-C) works, and it costs 399 PLN in Apple’s online store. The Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) don’t work with the Duo, so if you have one of them for your iPad, you’ll need the USB-C model for the foldable iPhone. Apple lists only this one stylus, so don’t assume that third-party styluses will work.

iPhone Duo cameras: two 48 MP lenses, no telephoto

On the back there are two cameras: a 48 MP Fusion main camera (f/1.6, sensor-shift stabilization) and a 48 MP Fusion ultra wide (120°, macro), the same as in the iPhone 18 Pro. Instead of a telephoto lens you get 2x optical-quality zoom: the camera crops the center of the 48 MP sensor and saves a 12 MP photo.

The main camera records 4K Dolby Vision video at 120 fps. On the front there are two cameras: a 12 MP Center Stage camera in the outer display and a FaceTime camera hidden under the inner display.

Sample shot of a jump taken with the 48 MP Fusion main camera on the iPhone Duo

Group selfie taken with the 12 MP Center Stage front camera on the iPhone Duo

Apple sample photos: left, the 48 MP main camera; right, a group selfie from the Center Stage camera. Source: Apple Newsroom

The two displays enable features that no other iPhone has:

Duo Preview: the person being photographed sees the frame on the outer display and can adjust their pose.
Selfies with the rear cameras: with a preview on the outer display, at a higher resolution than with the front camera.
Smart shutter: an AI model takes the photo automatically when it detects that you’re posing.
Animation for kids: Peanuts characters appear on the outer display to draw a little one’s gaze toward the lens.
Duo FaceTime: a second person joins the call via the outer display.

Performance and battery life of the foldable iPhone

The Duo has the same A20 Pro chip as the iPhone 18 Pro, but it is cooled by a vapor chamber connected directly to the processor. According to Apple, this gives up to 35% higher sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro. The point of reference is last year’s model, not the iPhone 18 Pro with the same chip.

The gain should be noticeable in games and during long sessions with two apps.

Each half of the body houses a separate battery, and the two work as one. Apple doesn’t give the capacity in mAh, only battery life figures:

Scenario	Battery life according to Apple
Typical use	up to 24 h
Video on the outer display	up to 44 h
Video on the inner display	up to 31 h
Streaming on the outer display	up to 37 h
Streaming on the inner display	up to 26 h

Three compromises of the foldable iPhone

The specifications already reveal three weaker points of the Duo, and the first reviews confirm them. Check them before you order.

1. It’s the heaviest iPhone ever. It weighs 254 g and is 11.3 mm thick when folded. Even the iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 g. According to 9to5Google’s comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 weighs 201 g at 9.7 mm, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold 239 g at 10.1 mm.

The Duo only becomes the thinnest iPhone ever when unfolded: 5.2 mm.

2. No Face ID and no telephoto lens. Apple is bringing back Touch ID in the side button, which works with the phone open or closed. You can also unlock the Duo with an Apple Watch. If you often shoot from a distance, the iPhone 18 Pro with its 4x telephoto will do a better job.

3. eSIM only and no Apple Intelligence in Polish. The Duo has no tray for a physical SIM card and supports eSIM only, with up to two active numbers at the same time. Apple Intelligence works in 16 languages, and Polish isn’t one of them.

The new Siri AI has been available as a beta in English since September 14, but according to Apple not yet in the EU, which means not in Poland either.

You also won’t be able to use the new iPhone Handoff feature (one number on two iPhones) right away. At launch it only works on T-Mobile in the US and Telekom in Germany.

What reviewers say about the iPhone Duo

The first iPhone Duo reviews were published on October 21, 2026, two days before sales start, after roughly a week of testing. Most scores are high, from 7/10 at The Verge and Wired to 4.5/5 at Tom’s Guide, TechRadar and PCMag. Reviewers agree in praising the matte display, the hinge and the build quality, but they are just as unanimous that this is still a first-generation product: heavy, without Face ID or a telephoto lens, and with many apps not yet adapted to the new displays.

Most often praised:

The matte inner display. The nano-texture finish reduces reflections and hides the crease. You see it mainly at an angle and in certain lighting conditions, and you can feel it with your finger.
Hinge and build quality. The hinge holds the phone at almost any angle, and the titanium frame and IP68 rating set the Duo apart from other foldables. Joanna Stern had a machine fold her unit more than 32 thousand times and felt no change in how the hinge works (MacRumors report).
Performance and two apps side by side. According to Tom’s Guide and Gizmodo, the Duo is almost as fast as the iPhone 18 Pro. Reviewers find Split View intuitive, and Apple’s own apps make use of the large display right away.
Battery. In most tests it lasts a day of typical use. In Tom’s Guide’s test (web browsing over 5G) the Duo lasted 13 hours 20 minutes, more than 3 hours longer than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but less than the iPhone 18 Pro Max (17 hours 31 minutes).

Most often criticized:

Apps that aren’t adapted. This is the most common complaint. Older apps appear in a small window with black bars or with an empty strip on the right. Full support requires developers to rebuild their apps with the iOS 27.1 SDK, and updated apps were still arriving during testing.
Weight and thickness. At 254 g it’s heavier than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 weighs 201 g. Wired, Gizmodo and Spider’s Web write about a tired hand and a weighed-down pocket.
No Face ID. Touch ID in the side button works well, but reviewers describe instinctively waiting for the phone to unlock on its own. Unlocking with an Apple Watch helps.
Cameras weaker than on the Pro models. There’s no telephoto lens and no ProRes or Log recording, and in low light the photos fall behind the iPhone 18 Pro. The camera under the inner display (about 4 MP according to tests) is good enough for video calls, but not for photos.
Limited multitasking. Only two apps fit on the screen, in a fixed half-and-half split, and in portrait you can only pin a video above another app. The Duo runs iOS 27, not iPadOS, so it can’t use iPad apps. The controls are on the right side, which makes the phone harder to use for left-handed people.
Heat and the matte display. The Verge and Wired noticed that the phone can get warm, according to The Verge especially during longer camera use. The matte finish also produces slightly paler colors and shallower blacks than a glossy OLED.

Reviewers couldn’t test Apple Pencil support yet, because it only arrives with iOS 27.2. Wired and Engadget, however, expect the matte display surface to work well for writing and drawing. The price comes up less often as a complaint, since competing foldables are similarly expensive, but most reviewers stress that this isn’t a phone for everyone.

Outlet	Verdict	Rating
The Verge	Expensive, full of compromises and at times frustrating, but a lot of fun for early adopters	7/10
Engadget	“A first-class foldable”, with weight, price and unadapted apps as the downsides	8.8/10
CNET	Apple got its first foldable right, and the flaws don’t rule out buying it (Editors’ Choice award)	8.7/10
Tom’s Guide	“The best designed foldable phone I’ve ever tested”, though the lack of a telephoto lens is disappointing (Editor’s Choice)	4.5/5
TechRadar	A polished foldable worth the wait for Apple fans, but the Galaxy Z Fold 8 remains a strong alternative	4.5/5
PCMag	The best foldable phone on the market for hardware, performance and battery life (Editors’ Choice)	4.5/5
Gizmodo	Worth the wait, but very expensive and heavy	4/5
Wired	A surprisingly good first foldable, but it’s worth waiting a few months for apps to be optimized	7/10
9to5Mac	The iPhone’s future is foldable, but for most people a regular iPhone remains the more sensible buy	no score
MKBHD (video)	“Very polished around the edges, but kind of rough in the middle”, with apps as the biggest drawback	no score
Spider’s Web	Became the author’s favorite phone within a week, despite the annoyance of no Face ID, the weight and a weaker camera	no score
iMagazine	“The best foldable smartphone I’ve used so far”, despite compromises in the cameras and no Face ID	no score

As of October 21, 2026. Ratings are given on each outlet’s own scale. Quotes from Polish reviews translated by the editors.

iPhone Duo or iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The largest of the classic iPhones is the natural alternative to the Duo: the same chip, a similar weight and a big screen without a hinge. In every storage tier the Duo costs 3,200 PLN more. Below are the figures from Apple’s websites.

Specification	iPhone Duo	iPhone 18 Pro Max
Price in Poland (256 GB)	9,999 PLN	6,799 PLN
Price in Poland (2 TB)	15,999 PLN	12,799 PLN
Display	7.6″ inner (430 ppi) and 5.4″ outer (460 ppi)	6.9″ (460 ppi)
Dimensions	117.8 × 84.1 × 11.3 mm folded, 5.2 mm thick unfolded	163.4 × 78.0 × 8.75 mm
Weight	254 g	249 g
Build	titanium frame and hinge cover	aluminum unibody design
Chip	A20 Pro	A20 Pro
Rear cameras	48 MP main and 48 MP ultra wide, 2x optical-quality zoom	48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide and 48 MP 4x telephoto, up to 8x optical-quality zoom
Front camera	12 MP Center Stage and a FaceTime camera under the inner display	18 MP Center Stage
Biometrics	Touch ID	Face ID
Battery (typical use)	up to 24 h	up to 29 h
Fast charging (60 W)	50% in about 20 min	50% in about 15 min
SIM	eSIM only	nano-SIM and eSIM
Apple Pencil	Apple Pencil (USB-C) from iOS 27.2	no (not listed in Apple’s specifications)
Water and dust resistance	IP68 (6 m, 30 min)	IP68 (6 m, 30 min)
Colors	Star White, Night Sky	Black, Silver, Glacier Blue, Burgundy
Delivery of new orders (Apple Store, October 21, 2026)	end of January 2027	2–3 weeks (256 GB)

Data: iPhone Duo specifications and iPhone 18 Pro Max specifications on Apple’s websites; prices and delivery times from the Apple Store.

For the extra 3,200 PLN you mainly get a 7.6-inch display with Split View and stylus support. The 18 Pro Max wins on almost everything else: it has a telephoto lens and Face ID, lasts longer on a charge, charges faster and takes a physical SIM card. The weight is almost the same, but the folded Duo is shorter and more than 2.5 mm thicker, so it sits differently in your pocket.

If you don’t need a large screen for working with two apps, the 18 Pro Max gives you more for less, and without waiting until the end of January. We’ve collected the prices of all 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max versions in our iPhone 18 Pro price list for Poland.

Cases and screen protection for the iPhone Duo

Apple showed two of its own cases right away. The iPhone Duo Case consists of two parts, one for each half, and costs 399 PLN. The iPhone Duo Folio has a stand that lets you prop the phone up at various angles and costs 629 PLN. Both are already available in the Apple Store.

Two-piece Apple iPhone Duo Case in a sand color

Apple iPhone Duo Folio case with a stand in light beige

Left: the two-piece iPhone Duo Case; right: the Folio with a stand. Source: Apple Newsroom

A case for a foldable iPhone is usually two separate shells, because it has to leave the hinge free to move. No iPhone 17 or 18 case will fit.

Screen protection on a foldable follows its own rules, which we already covered in our guide to glass and film screen protectors for the Galaxy Z Fold 8:

Outer display: tempered or hybrid glass, just like on a regular iPhone.
Inner display: flexible film only, because rigid glass won’t survive the folding.
Don’t remove the factory layer on the inner display: it’s part of the display, not a shipping film.
Matte effect: a glossy film will cover the nano-texture finish, so choose a matte film for the Duo.

Our iPhone Duo cases category already includes models from Spigen, UAG, PITAKA, Mercury and PanzerGlass, most of them with MagSafe magnets. We compared them in our iPhone Duo case ranking, split into models with and without hinge protection. You’ll find screen protector films and glass in the iPhone Duo accessories category.

How to charge the iPhone Duo: chargers and power banks

No need to wait here. There’s no wall charger in the box, and the iPhone Duo has specific requirements. Apple gives two figures:

50% in about 20 minutes with a USB PD wall charger rated at 60 W or higher and a USB-C cable that supports 60 W,
50% in about 30 minutes with a MagSafe charger connected to a wall charger of 35 W or more.

Wireless charging works with MagSafe and Qi2 at up to 25 W. Qi2 15 W chargers should also work, just more slowly. A 20 W wall charger from the iPhone 12 era will do as well, but charging will take longer than Apple states.

We chose the chargers below based on the specifications Apple provides, not on our own tests with this phone. More models, split into wall chargers, MagSafe chargers and power banks, are covered in our ranking which charger to get for the iPhone Duo.

UGREEN Nexode Air 65W

UGREEN Nexode Air 65W exceeds the 60 W threshold Apple requires for the fastest charging. It has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, and thanks to GaN (gallium nitride) technology it’s compact despite its high output. You get the full 65 W with a single device connected. When you charge two at once, the power is split between the ports and the Duo may not get the required 60 W.

Satechi 3-in-1 Qi2 25W

Satechi 3-in-1 Qi2 25W charges your phone at the full Qi2 25 W, and a watch and earbuds along with it. The foldable design takes up little space when folded, so it also works well for travel.

Tech-Protect PB40 LifeMag 10,000 mAh

Tech-Protect PB40 LifeMag MagSafe power bank, second view

Tech-Protect PB40 LifeMag is a magnetic power bank using the Qi2.2 standard, which means 25 W wireless charging. You snap it onto the back of the phone and charge on the go without a cable. With a phone that weighs 254 g, you’ll definitely feel any power bank in your hand.

If you prefer a simple desk charger, Tech-Protect A54 MagSafe 25W Qi2.2 delivers the same power in a single charging puck.

[hs_products ids=”76151,135816,141166,141896″ cols=”4″ title=”Chargers for the iPhone Duo”]

You’ll find more models in the wireless chargers and MagSafe accessories categories.

Is the iPhone Duo worth buying?

It depends on what you use your phone for:

Buy it if you want a large screen for movies, reading and working with two apps, and you don’t plan to leave the Apple ecosystem.
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro if a telephoto lens, Face ID and a lighter body matter to you. It’s also significantly cheaper.
Consider the Galaxy Z Fold 8 if you use Android and weight and price matter more to you than water resistance.

Also keep in mind that this is a first-generation device. Apple hasn’t said how many open-and-close cycles the hinge is designed for, and in new device categories, first-generation weaknesses are usually only fixed by the second generation.

Summary

The iPhone Duo is the first foldable iPhone and also the heaviest and most expensive iPhone Apple has ever released. The key facts:

Poland is in the first wave. Sales from October 23, price from 9,999 PLN, but new orders won’t arrive until the end of January 2027.
Two displays with the same aspect ratio. 5.4 inches folded, 7.6 inches unfolded, with a matte finish, Split View and Apple Pencil (USB-C) support from iOS 27.2.
The compromises are real. 254 g, 11.3 mm folded, no Face ID or telephoto lens, eSIM only, and Siri AI isn’t available in the EU at launch.
Its edge over Samsung is IP68 and the ecosystem. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, on the other hand, is lighter and cheaper.
You can buy chargers today. A 60 W wall charger and a 25 W Qi2 charger will make full use of what the Duo can do.

It’s worth ordering a case together with the phone, and before it arrives, check that your wall charger delivers at least 60 W. A weaker one will still charge the phone, just more slowly.

Check out USB-C wall chargers for the iPhone Duo at homescreen.pl →

FAQ: common questions about the iPhone Duo

When will the foldable iPhone Duo be available in Poland?

Sales in Poland start on Friday, October 23, 2026, and pre-orders opened on October 16. Apple’s online store currently delivers new orders at the end of January 2027 (as of October 21, 2026), and delivery dates may change.

How much does the iPhone Duo cost in Poland?

In Poland, the foldable iPhone costs from 9,999 PLN for the 256 GB model. The 512 GB model costs 10,999 PLN, 1 TB costs 12,999 PLN and 2 TB costs 15,999 PLN.

Are the iPhone Fold, iPhone 18 Ultra and iPhone Duo the same phone?

Yes. iPhone Fold, iPhone 18 Fold, iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Ultra are names from leaks; the official name of the foldable iPhone is iPhone Duo. Apple did not show the standard iPhone 18 at its September event, and it is not part of the current lineup.

Does the iPhone Duo have Face ID?

No. The foldable iPhone has Touch ID in the side button, which works with the phone open or closed. You can also unlock it with an Apple Watch.

Can the iPhone Duo split the screen between two apps?

Yes. Split View opens two apps side by side on the inner display, or even two windows of the same app, such as Safari. It’s the first iPhone with this feature.

Can I put two SIM cards in the iPhone Duo?

You can’t insert a physical card at all. The iPhone Duo supports Dual eSIM only, meaning two active numbers in digital form, so check whether your carrier offers eSIM before you buy.

Does the iPhone Duo work with the Apple Pencil?

Yes, from iOS 27.2 and only with the Apple Pencil (USB-C). The stylus works on both displays. The Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) are not compatible with the iPhone Duo.

Can I put a tempered glass protector on the iPhone Duo’s inner display?

No. Only a flexible film is suitable for the inner display, because rigid glass won’t survive the folding. Use tempered glass on the outer display only.

Is the iPhone Duo worth buying? What reviewers say

According to the first reviews, yes, if you want a large screen for reading, movies and working with two apps. Reviewers praise the matte display, which almost hides the crease, the hinge and the performance, and criticize the 254 g weight, the lack of Face ID and a telephoto lens, and the many apps that still aren’t adapted. Scores range from 7/10 (The Verge, Wired) to 4.5/5 (Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, PCMag).

Sources: Apple press release on the iPhone Duo, iPhone Duo technical specifications, iPhone Duo prices in the Apple Store, US prices and launch dates on MacRumors, weight and thickness comparison with Android foldables on 9to5Google, Apple Intelligence countries and languages, iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max specifications, Apple Pencil support from iOS 27.2 on MacRumors, compatible Apple Pencil models on 9to5Mac, delivery times and Mark Gurman’s comment on MacRumors

2026-09-10

Premiere of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max: What Will Apple Show?

The iPhone 18 Pro costs from 6,299 PLN in Poland and the iPhone 18 Pro Max from 6,799 PLN. Apple unveiled both phones on September 9, 2026 during the “Surprise and shine” conference, pre-orders opened on September 12 at 2:00 PM and sales started on September 18. There is no standard iPhone 18 this year: the base model, the 18e and the iPhone Air 2 are due only in spring 2027.

Apple split the annual release into two parts and showed a phone with a foldable screen for the first time. Instead of four September premieres there were three, all of them high-end.

Below: the full price list for every storage tier, the official specification, colors and dates. Finally, the question we hear most often in the accessories store, whether a case from the iPhone 17 Pro fits the eighteen. The answer is yes, and Apple’s own numbers prove it.

Update, September 10, 2026: the conference has taken place. The whole article now relies on official Apple data: the specification pages, the Polish Apple Store price list and the official comparison table of dimensions. Pre-launch price forecasts, code names for the colors and speculation about the body size have been removed.

When is the iPhone 18 Pro premiere? Date, pre-order, and start of sales

The conference took place on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM Polish time. All the commercial dates below are now confirmed by Apple and published on its store pages.

Promotional graphic for the Apple Surprise and shine conference on September 9, 2026

Invitation graphic for the September conference. Source: Apple

Here is the full schedule. The foldable iPhone Duo has its own, later dates.

Event	Date	Model
“Surprise and shine” conference	Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 7:00 PM	all
Pre-order start	Saturday, September 12, 2026, 2:00 PM	18 Pro and 18 Pro Max
Sales start	Friday, September 18, 2026	18 Pro and 18 Pro Max
Pre-order start	Friday, October 16, 2026, 2:00 PM	iPhone Duo
Sales start	Friday, October 23, 2026	iPhone Duo

One detail in this schedule is unusual. Pre-orders usually begin on the first Friday after the conference, which would have been September 11. This year that was the 25th anniversary of the 2001 attacks, and Apple consistently avoids the date for commercial launches, so orders moved to Saturday.

The company did the same in 2015 with the iPhone 6s. Poland is in the first sales wave, so September 18 applies here too.

What Apple showed on September 9: six devices

Six new products were announced. Three of them are phones.

Device	What you get	Price in Poland from
iPhone 18 Pro	6.3″, A20 Pro, main camera with variable aperture	6,299 PLN
iPhone 18 Pro Max	6.9″, up to 43 hours of video playback	6,799 PLN
iPhone Duo	first foldable iPhone, 7.6″ inner and 5.4″ outer screen	9,999 PLN
Apple Watch Series 12	new processor, longer battery life	–
Apple Watch Ultra 4	Maps and photos via satellite	–
AirPods 5	two variants: with ANC and without	–

Phone prices come from the Polish Apple Store and refer to the entry configuration, which is 256 GB.

The official name of the foldable model is iPhone Duo, with no generation number, in the same way as the iPhone Air. In pre-launch leaks it was called iPhone Fold or iPhone 18 Ultra; both names can be safely ignored.

Will there be a standard iPhone 18? What was missing

This matters as much as the list of premieres, because a lot of people simply search for “iPhone 18”. The standard iPhone 18 does not exist. It is not in Apple’s line-up and the store page for such a model returns a 404 error. The base eighteen, the iPhone 18e and the iPhone Air 2 are set to debut only in spring 2027, most likely in March or April. This is not a delay but a new release rhythm: Pro models and the foldable in autumn, everything else in spring.

There will also be a lack of several other things:

Apple Watch SE 4 will not be released this year.
iPad mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro are expected in the fall, aside from the September conference.
Face ID under the screen did not make it to the iPhone 18 Pro. The TrueDepth module still sits in the Dynamic Island.

What does this mean in practice: if you are waiting for a cheaper iPhone from this generation, you have to wait until spring 2027. The real choice this autumn is the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the foldable iPhone Duo, or a discounted seventeen.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max: what’s changing

The diagonals are unchanged: 6.3 inches for the Pro version and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max. So is the entire body, which we come back to below. The changes are inside and in the camera.

Parameter	iPhone 18 Pro	iPhone 18 Pro Max
Screen	6.3″ Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion up to 120 Hz	6.9″ Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion up to 120 Hz
Brightness	up to 3,000 nits outdoors	up to 3,000 nits outdoors
Processor	A20 Pro with vapor chamber cooling	A20 Pro with vapor chamber cooling
Storage	256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB	256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
Main camera	48 MP Fusion, variable aperture ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0	48 MP Fusion, variable aperture ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0
Ultra Wide	48 MP Fusion, ƒ/2.2	48 MP Fusion, ƒ/2.2
Telephoto	48 MP Fusion, 100 mm (4x), ƒ/2.8	48 MP Fusion, 100 mm (4x), ƒ/2.8
Front camera	18 MP Center Stage, ƒ/1.9	18 MP Center Stage, ƒ/1.9
Battery	up to 34 hours of video playback	up to 43 hours of video playback
Charging	50% in about 15 min, MagSafe and Qi2 up to 25 W	50% in about 15 min, MagSafe and Qi2 up to 25 W
Body	aluminium unibody, Ceramic Shield 2 front	aluminium unibody, Ceramic Shield 2 front
Water resistance	IP68 (6 m for 30 min)	IP68 (6 m for 30 min)
Dimensions	150.0 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm	163.4 × 78.0 × 8.75 mm
Weight	211 g	249 g
Face ID under the screen	❌	❌

Three changes deserve a separate comment.

Variable aperture in the main camera. This is the first such mechanism in an iPhone and it shipped in both models, not only in the Pro Max. The 48 MP Fusion main camera switches between four values: ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8 and ƒ/4.0. In practice that means real control over depth of field and better low-light shots, because ƒ/1.48 lets in more light than any previous iPhone. Apple also added Pro controls for aperture, shutter speed, white balance and a live histogram.

The A20 Pro chip with vapor chamber cooling. Apple describes it as the most powerful and most power-efficient chip in iPhone history, built for AI workloads: it has Neural Accelerators and a new dual 16-core Neural Engine. The vapor chamber carries heat away, so the phone holds peak performance for longer while recording video or gaming.

Battery and charging. The iPhone 18 Pro Max plays video for up to 43 hours, six hours longer than the 17 Pro Max. The Pro version reaches up to 34 hours against 31 hours in the 17 Pro. You get to 50% in about 15 minutes with a 60 W or stronger adapter. Wireless charging runs at up to 25 W over both MagSafe and Qi2.

The Dynamic Island got a new incarnation: it now tracks up to three Live Activities at once.

The A20 Pro chip with a dual 16-core Neural Engine. Photo: Apple

Three things stayed the same, and they are the ones people ask about most: the optical zoom range (0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x and 8x, exactly as in the 17 Pro), the Ceramic Shield 2 front cover and the aluminium unibody body. The Camera Control button also stayed where it was, which matters when choosing a case.

Colors of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max

Apple launched four finishes, shared by both models and priced identically: Burgundy, Glacier Blue, Silver and Black. If you come across the names Dark Cherry, Light Blue or Dark Gray, those are code names from pre-launch leaks, not Apple’s official naming.

Four iPhone 18 Pro units seen from the back in Black, Silver, Glacier Blue and Burgundy — Official iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max colours: Black, Silver, Glacier Blue and Burgundy. Photo: Apple

Burgundy replaced Cosmic Orange as the hero color, the one you see across all promotional material. The orange from the seventeenth generation is gone. With Burgundy and Glacier Blue it is worth considering a clear or semi-transparent case so the finish stays visible.

Foldable iPhone Duo: Apple’s first such phone

Apple showed it on September 9 alongside the Pro series. It is the company’s first foldable phone, seven years after the Galaxy Fold, and immediately the most expensive iPhone on sale.

Parameter	iPhone Duo (official)
Internal display	7.6″ foldable OLED Super Retina XDR
External display	5.4″ OLED Super Retina XDR
Thickness unfolded	5.2 mm
Thickness folded	11.3 mm
Weight	254 g
Biometrics	Touch ID in the side button
SIM	eSIM only
Cameras	48 MP Fusion main + 48 MP Fusion ultra wide
Battery	dual battery, up to 31 h video on the inner screen
Processor	A20 Pro with vapor chamber
Water resistance	IP68
Price in Poland	from 9,999 PLN (256 GB) to 15,999 PLN (2 TB)
Availability	pre-order October 16, sales October 23, 2026

iPhone Duo held in one hand: the 5.4-inch outer display next to the unfolded 7.6-inch inner display

Two iPhone Duo units seen from the back and the front, in Starlight White and Night Sky

Left: the 5.4-inch outer display next to the 7.6-inch inner display. Right: both finishes, Starlight White and Night Sky. Source: Apple Newsroom

Some leaks were right, others missed badly.

Thickness and weight missed the leaks. Forecasts said 9 to 9.5 mm folded; the Duo is 11.3 mm and weighs 254 g, the heaviest iPhone ever. Unfolded it is the slimmest at 5.2 mm. The inner display uses a nanostructured matte finish that limits how visible the crease is, and the outer screen is protected by Ceramic Shield 2.

Face ID really is gone. Apple went back to Touch ID in the side button, which works with the phone open and closed. The Duo also supports eSIM only, with no physical SIM tray.

There is no telephoto lens either; instead you get a 2x optical-quality zoom cropped from the 48 MP sensor. Pricing in Poland runs from 9,999 PLN for 256 GB to 15,999 PLN for 2 TB, which makes it the most expensive iPhone in history. Pre-orders open on October 16 at 2:00 PM and sales start on October 23.

Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 and AirPods 5

Both watches will receive at least the S11 processor, longer battery life, and improvements in activity tracking. Mark Gurman announces no changes in appearance compared to Series 11 and Ultra 3.

The distinguishing feature of Ultra 4 is expected to be satellite functions: Apple Maps via satellite and sending and receiving photos in Messages without network coverage. For mountain hikers, this is a significant change, not just cosmetic.

There will be no Touch ID in the watch, no health sensor band, and no blood sugar measurement. The latter feature is expected to appear only around 2030. There will also be no Apple Watch SE 4.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the wait, our comparison of Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 will be helpful. You can find bands and screen protection for both series in the Apple Watch category.

AirPods 5: again two variants, with ANC and without

Apple is expected to show two models of AirPods 5: with active noise cancellation and without it. References to both variants were found in the code of macOS 26.7.

There is also a rumor about a H3 chip, which would reduce audio latency and improve battery life. This is still speculation, not confirmed information.

Heart rate measurement is reserved for Pro models. If you are looking for headphones with health features, the direction remains AirPods Pro 3.

iPhone 18 Pro price in Poland: the full list

Prices come from the Polish Apple Store. All four colors cost the same and the entry configuration of both models is 256 GB. There is no 128 GB option.

Storage	iPhone 18 Pro	iPhone 18 Pro Max
256 GB	6,299 PLN	6,799 PLN
512 GB	7,299 PLN	7,799 PLN
1 TB	9,299 PLN	9,799 PLN
2 TB	12,299 PLN	12,799 PLN

For reference, the foldable: the iPhone Duo costs 9,999 PLN for 256 GB, 10,999 PLN for 512 GB, 12,999 PLN for 1 TB and 15,999 PLN for 2 TB.

There is an increase, but smaller than analysts predicted. The iPhone 17 Pro started at 5,799 PLN, so the entry price went up by 500 PLN. Pre-launch forecasts quoting 6,399 PLN, 6,800 PLN or 7,300 PLN were wrong, and a number of sites still serve them. If you see one of those figures, check the publication date.

Budget for protection on top of the phone. A case and a screen protector cost roughly 100 to 200 PLN, while replacing a Pro display costs many times that. You will find the full set in iPhone 18 Pro cases and iPhone 18 Pro Max cases.

Will the case from the iPhone 17 Pro fit the 18 Pro?

Yes, it fits. The answer is different for the case and for camera protection, though, so it is worth splitting in two.

Case: yes, with no caveats. Apple’s official comparison table lists the iPhone 18 Pro at 150.0 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm. The iPhone 17 Pro measures exactly the same 150.0 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm. Same story in the Max size: 163.4 × 78.0 × 8.75 mm in both generations. The only difference is weight, 211 g against 204 g in the Pro and 249 g against 231 g in the Pro Max, which has no effect on whether a case fits.

Camera modules side by side: iPhone 17 Pro in orange on the left, iPhone 18 Pro in burgundy on the right — The body is unchanged, but the camera plateau was redesigned — which is why cases still fit and lens protectors do not. Apple press photos, crops are not to the same scale.

The same is visible in our offer. Cases in the iPhone 18 Pro case category and the iPhone 18 Pro Max case category carry the suffix “for Apple iPhone 18 Pro / 17 Pro” in their names, one case for two models. That is how UNIQ, Spigen, PITAKA, Tech-Protect, ESR, Benks, 3mk and licensed brands such as Guess and BMW describe their ranges. No major manufacturer released a separate SKU for the eighteen.

Camera protection: no. The camera island grew because it had to house the main camera with its variable aperture. Apple does not publish the dimensions of the module itself, but the market reacted unambiguously: manufacturers catalogued camera glass and frames separately, for the eighteen only, while leaving cases shared. Nobody creates two SKUs where one would do.

What did not pan out: before the launch a report attributed to Tata claimed a body 2 mm thicker, 9.9 to 10.9 mm instead of 8.75 mm. Had it been true, no case from the seventeen would fit. Apple’s own table settled it: both generations are 8.75 mm thick. Notebookcheck also ran a leak suggesting that iPhone 18 Pro cases might not fit the 17 Pro. Also untrue, since manufacturers ship a single case model for both phones.

UNIQ Combat

A hybrid case with a built-in Magclick Charging magnet ring, described by the manufacturer as compatible with the iPhone 18 Pro and 17 Pro. It has reinforced corners and a raised frame around the camera island, and it holds MagSafe chargers without an adapter.

Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagSafe

A clear polycarbonate back with a flexible bumper and a built-in magnet ring. If you buy an iPhone in Burgundy or Glacier Blue, this case will not hide the finish.

Tech-Protect Quick Set+

Screen glass in a two-pack with an applicator that lines it up straight and bubble-free. Repairing the screen on an iPhone Pro costs thousands of zlotys, so the glass pays for itself with the first drop.

Tech-Protect Cam Fit+

A cover for the entire camera island, designed exclusively for the iPhone 18 Pro. This is the one element you cannot transfer from the seventeen. Alternatives are in the camera glass for iPhone 18 Pro category.

[hs_products ids=”146623,146505,143222,142097″ cols=”4″ title=”Accessories for iPhone 18 Pro”]

You can find the full offer in iPhone 18 Pro cases, iPhone 18 Pro Max cases and camera glass for the 18 Pro. Accessories for the foldable iPhone Duo will arrive once manufacturers release the first cases and films for this unusual format.

If you’re switching from an older model, a review of MagSafe accessories will be useful. The standard remains unchanged between generations, so you can transfer magnetic chargers and power banks without additional purchases.

Summary

The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max have been on sale since September 18, 2026. Prices, specifications and dimensions in this article come directly from Apple.

Four things worth remembering:

There are three phones, not four. iPhone 18 Pro from 6,299 PLN, iPhone 18 Pro Max from 6,799 PLN and the foldable iPhone Duo from 9,999 PLN. The base eighteen, the 18e and the iPhone Air 2 arrive only in spring 2027.
The biggest change is the camera, not the screen. The ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0 variable aperture is the first of its kind in iPhone history and shipped in both Pro models.
The foldable iPhone ditches Face ID. Touch ID returns in the side button, the phone is eSIM only, and pricing in Poland starts at 9,999 PLN.
A case from the iPhone 17 Pro fits, a camera cover does not. Body dimensions are identical to the tenth of a millimetre, but the camera island grew and needs its own glass.

We updated this article on September 10 using official Apple data. If you are considering an upgrade, it is worth revisiting our comparison of the iPhone 16 Pro and 17 Pro to judge whether the generation jump makes sense.

Check out accessories for the iPhone 18 Pro at homescreen.pl →

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about the iPhone 18 Pro

When is the iPhone 18 Pro release?

Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro on September 9, 2026 during the “Surprise and shine” conference. Pre-orders opened on Saturday, September 12 at 2:00 PM and sales started on Friday, September 18, 2026. The foldable iPhone Duo has separate dates: pre-order October 16, sales October 23.

Will there be a regular iPhone 18?

Not in 2026. The standard iPhone 18 does not exist and the Apple Store page for such a model returns a 404 error. The base eighteen, the iPhone 18e and the iPhone Air 2 are expected to debut in spring 2027, likely in March or April. This autumn the only choices are the Pro models and the foldable iPhone Duo.

How much does the iPhone 18 Pro cost? Price in Poland

The iPhone 18 Pro costs 6,299 PLN for 256 GB, 7,299 PLN for 512 GB, 9,299 PLN for 1 TB and 12,299 PLN for 2 TB. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is 6,799 PLN, 7,799 PLN, 9,799 PLN and 12,799 PLN respectively. All colors cost the same. For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro started at 5,799 PLN, so the entry price rose by 500 PLN.

Will a foldable iPhone be released this year?

Yes. Apple showed it on September 9, 2026 as the iPhone Duo, with no generation number. It has a 7.6-inch inner screen and a 5.4-inch outer screen, Touch ID instead of Face ID, and supports eSIM only. In Poland it costs from 9,999 PLN to 15,999 PLN. Pre-orders open on October 16 at 2:00 PM and sales start on October 23.

Does the case for the iPhone 17 Pro fit the iPhone 18 Pro?

Yes. Both phones share identical body dimensions: 150.0 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm. In the Max size that is 163.4 × 78.0 × 8.75 mm, also unchanged. Manufacturers including UNIQ, Spigen, PITAKA, Tech-Protect, ESR and Benks sell a single case model described as fitting both generations. Camera covers are already separate, because the camera island grew.

What colors does the iPhone 18 Pro come in?

Four: Burgundy, Glacier Blue, Silver and Black (Burgund, Błękit lodowca, Srebrny and Czarny in Polish). The palette is shared by the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max and every color costs the same. Burgundy replaced Cosmic Orange as the hero color. The names Dark Cherry, Light Blue and Dark Gray come from pre-launch leaks and are not used by Apple.

What else did Apple show on September 9?

In addition to the three phones there were the Apple Watch Series 12, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5 in two variants: with active noise cancellation and without it. iPads and Mac computers are set for a separate launch in the fall.

Does the iPhone Duo support MagSafe?

Yes, and no case is needed for it — the magnets sit in the phone itself. Apple’s specifications list a magnet array, an alignment magnet and an NFC reader that identifies accessories, the same set as in every other MagSafe iPhone. MagSafe charging runs at up to 25 W and Qi2 at up to 25 W as well. A case only matters the other way round: if it is thick or has no magnet ring of its own, the hold weakens and charging can cut out.

Sources: official iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max specifications, the iPhone 18 Pro store page (prices and dates), the Apple iPhone comparison table (dimensions and weight), official Apple event page, announcement of the conference and list of six devices on MacRumors, complete overview of leaks about the iPhone 18 Pro, leaks about the foldable iPhone, what to expect from Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, OtterBox on the compatibility of iPhone 17 Pro cases with 18 Pro, iPhone Air 2 and 18e not until spring 2027

2026-08-31

POCO F9 Pro and F9 Ultra: everything we know before the launch

POCO F9 Pro and F9 Ultra will debut globally on September 1, 2026 at an online event. This date has been confirmed by POCO itself. Both models are global versions of the Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max, but with significantly smaller batteries than their Chinese originals. Leaks indicate Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a 200 MP camera, and an 8,050 mAh battery in the Ultra version.

There are a few days left until the premiere, and most of the cards are already on the table. POCO itself has showcased both phones in their launch colors, and GSMArena has published the full leak of specifications.

Below you will find a clear division between what the manufacturer has officially confirmed and what comes solely from leaks. Additionally, a complete comparison table of both models and an answer to the question of which one makes sense for whom.

Note: This article was created before the official premiere. Data marked as leaks have not been confirmed by the manufacturer. We will update it on September 1, 2026, after the event.

When is the POCO F9 premiere? The date is already certain

The global premiere of the POCO F9 series will take place on September 1, 2026 during an online presentation. The date has been confirmed by POCO itself, so it is one of the few certainties in this article, alongside the model names and colors.

We will see two models: POCO F9 Pro and POCO F9 Ultra. The manufacturer has already shown both phones in selected colors: Ultra in Dark Cherry, Pro in Aurora Green.

This is a short time from announcement to premiere, typical for the brand. POCO rarely drags out pre-launch campaigns and usually introduces phones for sale a few days after the showcase.

What POCO has officially confirmed and what is a leak

This division matters because both types coexist online without a label.

Information	Status
Release date September 1, 2026	✅ confirmed by POCO
Two models: F9 Pro and F9 Ultra	✅ confirmed by POCO
Colors Dark Cherry and Aurora Green	✅ officially shown
Full technical specification	❌ leak
Battery capacities	❌ leak
Prices in euros	❌ leak

Leaks have unusually strong foundations here. Both phones are global versions of Redmi models that have already debuted in China: F9 Pro corresponds to Redmi K100 Pro, and F9 Ultra to Redmi K100 Pro Max.

However, this does not mean that the specifications are identical. Global versions receive noticeably smaller batteries than their Chinese originals, and this is the most important information from the entire leak.

Model	Battery in China	Global Battery	Difference
Redmi K100 Pro → POCO F9 Pro	8,580 mAh	6,330 mAh	−2,250 mAh
Redmi K100 Pro Max → POCO F9 Ultra	9,070 mAh	8,050 mAh	−1,020 mAh

POCO F9 Pro loses over a quarter of its capacity compared to the Chinese original. The screen diagonal also changes: the Redmi K100 Pro has 6.56 inches, while the POCO F9 Pro has 6.59 inches.

POCO F9 Pro and F9 Ultra Specifications: Full Table

All data in the table comes from leaks and pertains to the Chinese counterparts.

Parameter	POCO F9 Pro (leak)	POCO F9 Ultra (leak)
Equivalent in China	Redmi K100 Pro	Redmi K100 Pro Max
Screen	6.59″, 1156 × 2510 AMOLED	6.9″, 1200 × 2608 AMOLED
Refresh Rate	185 Hz	185 Hz
Peak Brightness	4,500 nits	4,500 nits
Glass	Gorilla Glass 7i	Gorilla Glass 7i
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
RAM	12 or 16 GB	12 or 16 GB
Storage	256 or 512 GB	256 or 512 GB
Main Camera	200 MP with OIS	200 MP with OIS
Telephoto Lens	50 MP, 2.5× optical zoom	50 MP periscope, 5× zoom
Ultrawide	8 MP	50 MP
Selfie	32 MP	32 MP
Battery	6,330 mAh	8,050 mAh
Wired Charging	100 W	100 W
Wireless Charging	50 W	50 W
Construction	metal frame, plastic back	metal frame, LED ring
Resistance	IP68	IP68
Speakers	tuned by Bose	tuned by Bose

Three items from this table deserve a comment.

50 W wireless charging. The specification bases list it for both models, along with 27 W reverse charging via cable and 22.5 W wirelessly. These are unusually high values for induction.

185 Hz is not just a number for the folder. A panel with such a refresh rate makes sense mainly in games, and that’s exactly how POCO positions the entire F series.

LED ring in the Ultra version is an element that is not present in the Pro. The backlight near the speaker module on the camera island signals notifications.

Beware of the resistance class: the specification bases state IP68 for global versions, while the Chinese originals have IP66/68/69. Some leaks attribute IP69 to POCO models as well. Resolution on September 1.

Beware of the processor: the Chinese Redmi K100 Pro uses a more power-efficient variant of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 V Series with a lower clocked graphics chip. It is unclear whether the POCO F9 Pro will receive the same variant or the full version of the chip. In the case of the F9 Ultra, leaks indicate the standard version.

What are the differences between POCO F9 Pro and F9 Ultra?

Both phones have the same processor, the same screen in terms of refresh rate and brightness, and the same main camera of 200 MP. The real differences are three.

Ultrawide camera: 8 MP vs 50 MP. This is the biggest difference in specifications and also the most often overlooked. With the identical main camera, it is the “wide angle” that determines whether landscape and interior photos will be useful.

Battery: 6,330 mAh vs 8,050 mAh. The difference is over 1,700 mAh, more than separates the next generations of the same model. In the Ultra, that’s enough for a second day of work without a charger.

Zoom: 2.5× vs 5× periscope. The periscope in the Ultra version provides real optical range, not digital cropping.

The screen in the Ultra is larger (6.9″ vs 6.59″), but this is a difference that some people will consider a disadvantage, not an advantage.

Our choice: if you shoot wide-angle or need a battery for two days, the upgrade to the Ultra version makes sense. If you mainly use the main camera, the POCO F9 Pro offers the same processor and the same 200 MP sensor.

What does POCO F9 Ultra change compared to POCO F8 Ultra?

POCO F8 Ultra debuted on November 26, 2025, and is still the current flagship of the brand; we previously compared it with its predecessor in the comparison of F8 Ultra and F7 Ultra. The comparison of both models shows where real progress lies and where it does not.

Parameter	POCO F8 Ultra	POCO F9 Ultra (leak)
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Screen	6.9″, 1200 × 2608, 120 Hz	6.9″, 1200 × 2608, 185 Hz
Main camera	50 MP	200 MP
Ultrawide	50 MP	50 MP
Telephoto	50 MP periscope, 5× zoom	50 MP periscope, 5× zoom
Battery	6,500 mAh	8,050 mAh
Wired charging	100 W	100 W
Wireless charging	50 W	50 W
Resistance	IP68	IP68

There are three conclusions. The processor remains unchanged: it’s the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, so there will be no performance jump. The main camera and refresh rate change, meaning 200 MP instead of 50 MP and 185 Hz instead of 120 Hz. The battery increases by 1,550 mAh, which with the same chipset should directly translate to battery life.

The rest remains unchanged: 100 W wired charging and 50 W wireless charging, the same diagonal and resolution, the same resistance class. If you have the F8 Ultra, the only reasonable reasons to upgrade are the battery and refresh rate.

How much will the POCO F9 Pro and F9 Ultra cost?

The prices have not been confirmed. Leaks suggest that the POCO F9 Pro will start at 799 EUR for the 12 GB / 256 GB version. The POCO F9 Ultra is expected to cost 999 EUR for the 16 GB / 512 GB variant.

In conversion, this is roughly 3,400 PLN for the Pro version and about 4,200 PLN for the Ultra. These are the leaked starting prices for the European market, and POCO traditionally cuts them with promotions in the first days of sales.

It’s worth keeping in mind that Polish launch prices are rarely a straightforward conversion from euros. We will know the actual amounts on September 1st.

100 W Charging: What to Prepare Before the Launch

Both models are expected to support 100 W wired charging. This is a power level where it matters which charger you connect.

Full 100 W in Xiaomi and POCO phones usually requires the manufacturer’s charger with the proprietary HyperCharge protocol, and the charging speed from chargers of other brands can be lower. We described the same mechanism in the guide about chargers for POCO F8 Ultra. USB Power Delivery (USB PD) chargers from other brands will charge the phone quickly, but usually slower than the manufacturer’s brick. We will confirm this after the launch, when we know the official charging specifications.

Regardless, a strong GaN charger (gallium nitride) will be useful from day one, and it will also handle a laptop. We have gathered the smallest high-power designs in the ranking of GaN chargers.

Tech-Protect PowerVision NC100W-GaN: 100 W with power preview

Tech-Protect PowerVision NC100W-GaN 100 W charger with power display

Tech-Protect PowerVision NC100W-GaN charger - three USB-C and USB-A ports

Three ports, 100 W power, and a display showing the current power consumption in watts. With a phone, where the charging speed depends on the protocol, the ability to check the real power is practical.

UGREEN Nexode Pro 100W GaN: compact cube for your backpack

UGREEN Nexode Pro 100W GaN charger with two USB-C and USB-A ports

UGREEN Nexode Pro 100W GaN charger - view of the ports

Three ports in a case that you can easily throw into your backpack. It will charge your phone, tablet, and laptop, while GaN technology keeps the operating temperature low.

[hs_products ids=”142549,76146″ cols=”2″ title=”GaN Chargers 100 W”]

To charge at high power, you also need the right cable. Check out USB-C to USB-C cables with a current capacity of 5 A and power banks for fast charging if you often charge your phone outside the home.

Will accessories from POCO F8 fit F9?

Almost certainly not. We do not know the official dimensions of the POCO F9, but the change in the camera island layout and diagonal compared to the F8 series means that cases and glass from the previous generation should not fit. We will know the dimensions on September 1.

This is a standard situation when changing generations, and it’s worth remembering before you buy accessories in advance. Dedicated cases and glass for the POCO F9 will be available for sale after the premiere.

Until then, you can check the offer for the predecessors: cases and glass for POCO F8 Pro and accessories for POCO F8 Ultra. The scale of this offer well illustrates what to expect with the F9.

See all accessories for the POCO F series →

Summary

POCO F9 Pro and F9 Ultra debut on September 1, 2026 during an online presentation. Besides the date, only the model names and colors are officially confirmed.

Three things to remember before the premiere:

Global versions have smaller batteries than the Chinese ones. The F9 Pro loses 2,250 mAh compared to the Redmi K100 Pro, and the F9 Ultra loses 1,020 mAh compared to the K100 Pro Max.
The ultra-wide camera differentiates these models more than the zoom. 8 MP in Pro versus 50 MP in Ultra is a difference visible in every wide-angle photo.
The 8,050 mAh battery in the Ultra version is a value rarely found in a phone with a flagship processor.

We will update the article on September 1, when POCO provides the official specifications and Polish prices.

Check out accessories for Xiaomi and POCO smartphones at homescreen.pl →

Sources: full leak of specifications and prices for POCO F9 on GSMArena, confirmed global launch date and colors on GSMArena, launch of Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max in China — GSMArena, specification sheet for POCO F9 Ultra — GSMArena, specifications and prices in Europe according to Android Authority

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about POCO F9

When is POCO F9 coming out?

The global launch of the POCO F9 series will take place on September 1, 2026, during an online event. The date has been confirmed by POCO itself. Sales usually start within a few days after the presentation.

Are Xiaomi and POCO the same?

POCO is a sub-brand of Xiaomi, operating as a separate product line. The phones are based on Xiaomi and Redmi models but have their own name and positioning. POCO F9 Pro and F9 Ultra are rebranded Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max.

How much will POCO F9 Ultra cost?

According to leaks, the POCO F9 Ultra will start at 999 EUR for the 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage variant, which is about 4,200 PLN. The Pro version is expected to start at 799 EUR for 12 GB RAM and 256 GB. Prices have not been confirmed by the manufacturer.

What are the differences between POCO F9 Pro and F9 Ultra?

Three things: an ultra-wide camera (8 MP vs. 50 MP), battery (6,330 mAh vs. 8,050 mAh), and zoom (2.5× vs. periscope 5×). The processor, main camera 200 MP, and refresh rate of 185 Hz are identical.

Is the POCO F9 Ultra a flagship?

Yes. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, main camera 200 MP, 100 W charging, and speakers tuned by Bose make for a flagship set. POCO traditionally offers such specifications at a lower price than higher-positioned brands.

Does the case from POCO F8 fit the POCO F9?

Almost certainly not. The diagonal and the layout of the camera island are changing, so accessories from the F8 series should not fit. We will have certainty on September 1, when POCO provides the official dimensions.

Are POCO phones good?

POCO aims for high performance at a lower price than premium brands. The F series features flagship processors, bright displays, and fast charging, usually at the expense of details: updates may be shorter, and cases less frequently use more expensive materials. For gamers and those demanding performance, it’s a strong proposition.

2026-08-25