Apple has opened its own concert venue in London — Apple Music Hall. The space is located in the iconic Battersea Power Station complex on the banks of the River Thames, near the company’s European headquarters.

The venue can accommodate 600 guests and was designed to combine an intimate atmosphere with the technical capabilities of a large-scale stage, according to an official company statement.

According to Apple, the limited capacity and layout were deliberately designed to bring artists and audiences closer together without compromising production quality. The approximately 12-metre-wide stage can be adapted to different formats — from a traditional performance in front of an audience to a concert in which spectators surround the performer.

Sound is delivered through 48 speakers positioned around the audience. The system supports Spatial Audio, allowing sound to be distributed throughout the space and creating an immersive concert experience.

Behind the stage are two professional studios for recording and mixing music. After a concert, each artist can receive a finished audio recording and even a multicamera video.

For video production, Apple Music Hall is equipped with infrastructure for at least 16 cameras, as well as a dedicated control room. The professional equipment can also be used alongside iPhone cameras. This means a single concert can become not only a live performance but also fully produced audiovisual content.

Apple also plans to livestream selected concerts from Apple Music Hall. In addition to the concert venue, the complex will house new Apple Music Radio studios, as well as rooms for rehearsals, DJ sets and songwriting.

The venue’s interior echoes the architecture of Battersea Power Station, with exposed brickwork, arched forms and bronze balconies. A large glass wall also offers views of the interior of the complex and the River Thames.

The opening of Apple Music Hall marks Apple’s return to its own concert events in London after a nine-year break, following the end of the iTunes Festival. Apple emphasizes that it does not intend to compete with other concert venues. Instead, the company aims to create its own music content and help artists connect directly with their audiences.

Photo: Apple.com

Apple held its traditional September presentation, but this time it was a particularly notable one. The company finally unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo. It also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, AirPods 5, and the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

The new Pro models retain the familiar design, but the biggest changes are under the hood. Apple is focusing on the camera, performance, battery life and artificial intelligence.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max feature a 48-megapixel main camera with a variable aperture. This provides greater control over photos and allows the camera to perform better in different lighting conditions.

The smartphones are powered by the new A20 Pro chip. Apple also placed particular emphasis on Siri AI, which is now more deeply integrated into the system.

The Pro Max offers the biggest improvement in battery life in iPhone history. According to Apple, it can provide up to 45 hours of video playback.

The smartphones can also be distinguished by their new color options. Black and silver are joined by Glacier blue and a new Burgundy accent shade.

Prices start at $1,199 for the iPhone 18 Pro and $1,299 for the Pro Max. The smartphones will go on sale on September 18.

iPhone Duo – the main highlight of the presentation

Apple’s biggest surprise is the iPhone Duo, the company’s first foldable smartphone.

When unfolded, it features a large 7.6-inch internal display, while a separate 5.4-inch screen sits on the outside. This format allows users to work with two apps simultaneously.

Another key feature is the front-facing camera, which is hidden beneath the display. The smartphone also supports Apple Pencil and features Touch ID built into the side button.

The iPhone Duo is Apple’s most expensive smartphone to date. Its starting price is $1,999. It will go on sale on October 23.

Interestingly, Apple did not introduce a standard iPhone 18 this year. Instead, the company focused on the Pro models and the foldable Duo.

AirPods 5

Apple also updated its wireless earbuds. AirPods 5 now feature active noise cancellation – previously, this function was available only on more expensive models.

Apple says the new system removes up to 50 percent more background noise than the AirPods 4 with ANC. The sound has also been improved, while Siri AI support and a simultaneous translation feature have been added.

Prices start at $129. The version with wireless charging and additional controls costs $149.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4

The new Apple Watch models have not undergone any major exterior changes. This time, the focus is primarily on health and AI-powered features.

The Series 12 features updated sensors. The watch can measure heart rate every five seconds and offers new ways to analyze health data. The Ultra 4 also comes with improved sensors, a new processor and longer battery life.

Another new feature is Siri Recap. The watch can record conversations and then help users find the information they need with the help of Siri.

The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, while the Ultra 4 starts at $799.

It seems that this time Apple wanted to do more than simply update its familiar devices – the company also aimed to show how it envisions their future. The iPhone Duo was the star of the presentation, while the other new products received more targeted updates.

Photo: apple.com