New Delhi, Sept. 12 -- Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on September 9 marked a major shift in how the company is positioning the iPhone. Instead of refreshing its entire range, Apple focused on its most expensive devices: the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable, the iPhone Duo.

The standard iPhone 18 was absent and is expected to arrive in spring 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2. The move suggests Apple is creating clearer tiers, with its newest technology concentrated at the top end of the range.

Apple has traditionally launched its regular iPhone alongside the Pro models in September. This year, that changed.

The event was also John Ternus's first keynote as CEO and focused almost entirely on prem...