Despite the announcement of the iPhone Duo device in early September, which was the central event, several long-awaited gadgets are still missing from the lineup. Among them is the standard iPhone 18, as only the Pro and Pro Max variants have been confirmed.
Currently, there is no truly affordable phone in the new 18 lineup: the Pro model starts from R28,799, and the Pro Max starts from R31,299. Rumor has it that the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable phone, will cost around R50,000, with pre-orders starting on October 16.
Although Apple is expected to unveil many new devices next month, it currently seems that the standard iPhone 18 will not be among them. It is assumed that the company aims to stimulate sales of its flagship models before releasing less expensive options, such as the regular 18. Furthermore, the iPhone 18e model, the most budget-friendly, is also apparently absent from near-term plans.
This strategy may be related to the recent price increases for Apple hardware; providing more time before launching cheaper models helps the tech giant justify the raised price categories. Instead, Apple is likely to introduce new high-end MacBooks with OLED screens, an iMac with the M6 chip, and an updated 14-inch MacBook Pro on M6.
However, one product that has long needed an update is the Apple TV. Since hardware updates have not been released since 2022, a new streaming box equipped with either the A19 or A19 Pro chip (processors from the iPhone 17 family) is finally expected. Minor improvements are also predicted for the HomePod mini and iPad mini.
Another potentially new device is the 'HomePad,' a special touch device for controlling all connected devices in the Apple home network.