iPhone 18 Pro series is here with a feature Android flagships abandoned years ago - Android Authority

**iPhone 18 Pro series arrives in India with a former‑Android flagship feature**

Apple unveiled its latest flagship lineup – the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the first‑generation iPhone Duo foldable – at a virtual event on 9 September. While the company highlighted the usual upgrades in processor speed, battery life and camera software, the most notable hardware change is the inclusion of a periscope‑type telephoto lens that delivers up to 10× optical zoom on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The periscope lens, first popularised by Android flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, had largely been abandoned by many manufacturers after 2022 due to the bulk it added to slim‑phone designs. Apple’s engineering team has now managed to integrate the module without compromising the device’s sleek profile, offering Indian consumers a level of zoom previously unavailable on iOS devices.

The iPhone Duo, Apple’s inaugural foldable phone, debuted alongside the Pro series and is expected to launch in the Indian market later this quarter. Early leaks suggest a 7.2‑inch flexible OLED display that folds inward, preserving a traditional form factor when closed. Pricing details released by the Times of India place the iPhone Duo at ₹1,44,999 for the base model, while the iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,19,900 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at ₹1,34,900. Availability will begin with major carriers such as Airtel, Jio and Vi, as well as Apple’s online and retail stores, with pre‑orders opening next week.

Public reaction in India has been mixed. NDTV reported a surge of memes poking fun at the “iPhone Duo” moniker, while tech forums are already debating the practicality of a foldable iPhone in the Indian market. Rediff’s cost analysis suggests the Duo will sit at the premium end of the segment, potentially limiting mass adoption, whereas the Pro series’ new zoom capability is being praised by photography enthusiasts for closing the gap with Android competitors. As the devices roll out, regulators will monitor compliance with Indian telecom standards, and the Competition Commission of India will watch for any anti‑competitive concerns related to Apple’s ecosystem integration.