Apple's iPhone 18 Pro hits shelves: Here's what you need to know

Summary

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max go on sale without a standard iPhone 18 at launch, as Apple pushes buyers toward higher-priced models to lift average selling prices and protect margins. The upcoming foldable iPhone Duo, expected next month at $2,000, is positioned as a major demand test, especially in China, where foldables are already popular and Apple's iPhone demand has rebounded. CNBC also notes Tim Cook's expected appearance at a state dinner for Xi Jinping and the question of whether it helps Apple on Siri AI in China.

• Apple launched only iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, starting at $1,200.
• No regular iPhone 18; lower-priced models are expected in spring.
• Apple is pushing buyers upmarket as Pro models already lift ASP and margins.
• The foldable iPhone Duo comes next month at $2,000 and is seen as a potential big seller.
• China is key: iPhone demand rebounded strongly and China is a major foldable market.
• Samsung and Huawei had already established foldable demand before Apple's entry.
• Tim Cook is expected at Trump's state dinner for Xi Jinping.
• The key question is whether Cook advances Siri AI progress in China.