Apple has expanded its iPhone lineup with a new foldable model, the iPhone Duo. The company revealed the device on Sept. 9, with preorders scheduled to open on Oct. 16. U.S. pricing starts at $1,999, while in the UAE, the starting price is AED 8,499. The product will go on sale beginning Oct. 23 across more than 70 countries and regions. This launch marks Apple’s first book-style smartphone featuring separate outer and inner displays.

The biggest camera change is a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with variable aperture. Six internal blades allow the lens to move between four aperture settings. Users can adjust aperture, shutter speed and white balance directly inside the Camera app. A histogram can also display exposure levels while a scene is framed. The updated imaging system adds new texture and grain controls to Photographic Styles, while video users can apply Cinematic effects after capture. Apple is also introducing Reference Image for people who need to check whether a photograph has been altered. The opt-in feature records signed sensor data when a picture is captured in Reference mode. Private Cloud Compute develops that data into a reference image for comparison inside the Photos app. Apple plans additional support for the SynthID standard through a software update later this year. Image metadata will provide another way to identify AI-generated or edited content.

The most notable camera upgrade is a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera featuring a variable aperture. Six internal blades enable the lens to shift between four different aperture settings. Users can fine-tune aperture, shutter speed, and white balance directly within the Camera app. A histogram can also be displayed to show exposure levels while framing a scene. The revamped imaging system introduces new texture and grain controls for Photographic Styles, while video recording users can add Cinematic effects post-capture. Apple is also launching a Reference Image feature designed for those who need to verify whether a photograph has been edited. This opt-in capability records signed sensor data when capturing images in Reference mode. Private Cloud Compute processes this data to generate a reference image that can be compared within the Photos app. Support for the SynthID standard will be added via a software update later this year, with image metadata serving as another method to identify AI-generated or manipulated content. Photographers gain increased control through variable aperture.

The United States is expanding its battery manufacturing facilities while simultaneously working to reduce reliance on China. Although domestic cell production has increased, significant gaps remain upstream in the supply chain. Chinese firms continue to dominate the global production of various critical materials necessary for lithium-ion batteries, including graphite anodes, cathode components, and lithium iron phosphate technology. The current challenge extends beyond merely assembling batteries, focusing now on securing the minerals, raw materials, and processing capacity essential to sustain those manufacturing plants.