The new iPhone Duo launch at Apple Park stole headlines this month, but The Shortcut team also discovered a bunch of exciting gadgets 4,000 miles away at IFA 2026 in Berlin. This is basically Europe’s CES, and this year it was home to experimental screen-expanding laptops, MacBook Neo rivals running Windows, bezel-less phones, and dancing robots.

There was even a smart fish tank and toothbrush with a built-in camera. Roaming the Messe Berlin exhibition halls is daunting. Tens of thousands of gadgets are on display.

Between the German beers and soft pretzels, Max and I managed to narrow down which 30 gadgets were hot schnitzel and which were the currywurst. Time to prost the list below.

1. Lenovo Project Swan

Laptop screen sizes don’t have to stay one size. That’s the idea behind Lenovo's expandable laptop, Project Swan. It’s reminiscent of previous concepts, like the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, which has a display that can expand from a regular 14-inch panel to a wider 17-inch panel with the touch of a button, or the gamer-friendly Legion Pro Rollable.

Project Swan isn’t as dramatic as previous rollable laptops, but that’s what we like about it. It feels more practical and could go mainstream if it graduates from concept to market-ready. Instead of getting super tall or wide, it switches to a manageable 17-inch, 16:9 display that’s perfect for watching videos. There’s no word on whether Lenovo will ship this, but it stood out to us as one of the most useful concepts we saw at IFA 2026.

2. Dyson CameraJet Toothbrush

Dyson always brings groundbreaking takes on existing tech whenever it enters a new product category, and the new CameraJet Toothbrush is no different.

This $500 camera-equipped toothbrush uses AI to detect gaps between your teeth and spurts mouthwash to floss as you brush. Here’s the brushhead spin on old tech that’s award-winning: you can stream a live view of your toothbrushing to a smartphone – the Dyson CameraJet also connects over 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Beyond combining a water flosser into a toothbrush, Dyson claims its variable sonic oscillation keeps the bristles in constant motion no matter how you’re holding the toothbrush and helps remove 69% more plaque than other leading electric toothbrushes.

3. Anker eufyMake Printer

Anker’s eufyMake Printer is the gadget we want the most at The Shortcut. It’s about to shake up fabric printing for small and medium businesses that want on-demand custom merch. Here at Swider Studios, we’re prepping T-shirt designs for the printer’s Q1 2027 arrival.

What’s cool is that the eufyMake Printer supports both Direct-to-Garment (DTG) and Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing in one compact device, and Anker told The Shortcut that it’ll cost considerably less money than competitors when it launches next year.

It’ll support different film effects for special print jobs, work with both light and dark garments (so important), and its unique nozzle design will help keep the ink from drying out and ruining your next print. We can’t wait to get our hands on this next-gen fabric printer.

4. Anker MagGo Pro 2

The Anker MagGo 2 Pro focuses on maximum-speed charging and cooling. It’s Qi2.2 certified, so you can expect up to 25W wireless charging with the latest smartphones like the iPhone 17 series and Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

Wireless charging at such high speeds can raise temperatures to 113°F, but Anker has a solution: the company says the MagGo Pro 2’s integrated fan helps keep temperatures below human skin temperature (98.6°F), so it’s comfortable to hold while preventing heat from slowing your handset’s charging speed. The Anker MagGo 2 Pro also features a screen to show your power statistics and a kickstand to prop up the phone, too.

5. Lenovo IdeaPad Vibe

Plenty of MacBook Neo rivals showed up at IFA 2026, but the Lenovo IdeaPad Vibe is the most customizable option yet. First off, the laptop itself comes in two sizes, 14- or 15-inch, and seven colors. On top of being able to choose between the fun colored Dreamy Violet, Spicy Gold, Zen Green, Chill Blue, Radiant Coral, Moody Blue, and Lowkey Grey, you can also choose to have different colored keycaps as well.

What we really liked: the customization options also extend to CPU options, as you can have either a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor or a beefier AMD AI 400 chip – and Intel versions will be available at a later date.

6. Anker Eufy Baby Care products

Anker is one of the only tech brands in the market regularly introducing innovative products for babies and new moms, and it showcased many of our favorites at IFA 2026. From the intelligent breast pump system that helps moms maintain comfort to the bottle cleaning station that maximizes cleanliness without any intervention, these products could be a huge game-changer for anyone new to parenting. Easy Editor’s Choice winner for our team.

7. Oukitel WP68 Air

Oukitel makes some of the leading rugged Android phones on the market, and one of its latest aims to make this type of device more comfortable to use. The WP68 Air measures just 11.9mm thick, which is quite thin for a device that can take a beating like this one can. It’s powered by Android 16 and has three rear cameras for versatile shooting options, plus a huge 8,000mAh battery that helps the device last multiple days on a charge.

8. XGIMI Aura 3 Max

XGIMI always brings its A-game when it’s time to introduce a new flagship projector. The Aura 3 Max delivers a very premium experience with exceptional picture quality, support for dynamic HDR and detail optimization, 5,700m lumens of brightness, and 4K output at 120Hz. Your movies will feel more theater-like thanks to native 24fps support, the 8000:1 contrast ratio keeps black levels exceptionally dark, and the built-in Harman Kardon speakers sound surprisingly full of life for being in such a compact space. Plus, it has a beautiful design that’ll complement your living room perfectly.

9. Reolink OMVI 2i Ultra Security Camera

Reolink is renowned for subscription-free security cameras, and the OMVI 2i Ultra can now ditch electricity thanks to an integrated solar panel.

The new OMVI 2i Ultra can run for a full day on as little as 30 minutes of sunlight, and with its detachable 10,000mAh battery, it can also run for six months straight. The camera itself features an 8MP sensor and a wide-angle lens. It also has a separate 5MP pan-tilt camera that can be programmed to track people, animals, and vehicles.

10. Laifen AutoCurl

Laifen has been making big strides in the beauty and self-care world with its products, and the AutoCurl is another shining example. This curling iron can detect what direction your hair has been inserted in half a second, identifying exactly how hot the iron needs to be for effortless, consistent curls. It has three heat settings that adapt to different hair types and styling needs, Ionic technology to reduce static and frizz, and it’s somehow only 388 grams, so your arm won’t get tired while styling.

11. Alienware AW3226Q gaming monitor

The Alienware AW3226Q offers the latest OLED gaming monitor technology at a reasonable $699. This 39-inch display truly uses the latest panel technology, combining a quad-tandem OLED panel with an RGB stripe subpixel layer. All of this allows the monitor to reach a 1,000-nit peak brightness for Dolby Vision gaming. It’s also better for everyday tasks thanks to the RGB strip improving color purity, cleaner detail, and text clarity.

12. Beyerdynamic Aventho Y

Wireless noise-canceling headphones for $150 would be award-winning on their own, but the Beyerdynamic Aventho Y really earns its prize with an astonishing 90-hour battery life and unmatched repairability. You can truly keep this pair of headphones going for years by replacing the battery, magnetic earcups, slides, and hinges. We also love the upgrades, which, while optional, allow the Aventho to deliver low-latency gaming audio with a USB-C dongle and a boom microphone for headset-quality calls.

13. MemoMind One

The MemoMind One is one of our favorite smart glasses we’ve tested. The simple, office-friendly design is lightweight and comfortable to wear all day. Meanwhile, the lack of a camera ensures privacy remains at the center of the experience. Dual Harman Kardon speakers let you take calls, listen to music, and speak with Memo AI, MemoMind’s assistant that can take notes, help with research, and even provide live translations on the lens displays. Speaking of which, both displays use advanced projection technology from XGIMI for a crisp, clear experience.

14. Dreame LumaTempo fish tank

Dreame had something unexpected up its sleeve for IFA: a smart fish tank. The LumaTempo fish tank is quite the smart home for your aquatic pets. It features an intelligent feeding system to keep your fish fed on time every day, an advanced filtration system to keep the water clean, water temperature monitoring, and an app that lets you manage it. Plus, there are fun RGB lights so you can customize the look of your tank to match your vibe.

15. Dreame Leaptic Cube

One of the most impressive action cameras we saw at the show was the Leaptic Cube from Dreame. It’s equipped with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor that can take 50MP pictures and shoot video in up to 8K at 30 frames per second, a rarity in the world of action cams. It also has a 155-degree field of view to fit everything in the frame. Plus, you can detach the sensor and place it wherever you’d like to get the perfect shot.

16. Tecno Bezelless concept phone

Tecno made headlines at IFA for creating something that many companies have chased for years and enthusiasts have dreamed of: a phone free of display bezels. While, yes, you can see the frame of the phone around the sides of the screen, the Tecno Bezelless concept phone manages to look like one of the most futuristic smartphones we’ve ever seen. It has the energy of what we assume next year’s 20th-anniversary iPhone will look like: a single sheet of glass that functions as a full-fledged smartphone. Kinda sick, right?

17. Acer Project DualPlay Mini

The Acer Project DualPlay Mini solves the recent conundrum of choosing between buying a gaming handheld or laptop by giving you both devices in one package.

At first glance, the Project DualPlay Mini looks like any other gaming handheld, including Acer’s own Predator Atlas 8. However, opening the device and flipping the screen reveals a traditional keyboard hidden beneath. Admittedly, this leaves you with a laptop with a dinky 8-inch screen, but if you’re looking for a single PC device that lets you play and work while traveling, the Acer Project DualPlay Mini seems like a dream prototype.

18. Flowtica Verso

There were so many AI-powered note-taking devices out at IFA 2026, but Flowtica puts a unique spin on it by including an E Ink display. The new Verso AI note taker snaps to the back of your phone via MagSafe and gives you a tool to record meetings, conversations, and more, while simultaneously having everything transcribed. The E Ink display lets you sift through your notes, pull up a digital business card, glance at your agenda, and more, all without needing to open your phone. The independence of the device can help you focus a bit more on the task at hand and keep your work in one place.

19. Roomba Max 875 Combo

The Roomba Max 875 has us excited about iRobot for the first time in years. This latest flagship robot vacuum features an innovative carpet-cleaning feature that creates an airtight seal to drag up deep-seated debris.

Its underlying tech is akin to a hovercraft: it uses skirts to create an airtight seal to the carpet. It helps the Roomba Max 875, one of the most powerful robot vacuums, with 35,000Pa of suction power. If that wasn’t enough, it can mop your floors thanks to its self-cleaning roller mop and Ultrasonic TheraMist that sprays heated steam to loosen stains and dirt.

20. LiberNovo Maxis Series chair

Tall and large-framed individuals rejoice, as the LiberNovo Maxis Series is an ergonomic office chair designed for you. This chair not only supports larger people from 5’10” to 6’7″ and up to 399 pounds, but you’ll feel at ease with its backrest made of eight movable panels arranged in an S-curve to help support your back naturally as you lean back and sit forward. That same backrest also supports a wide range of recline, from leaning in at 105° to a relaxing 160°. Additionally, the Maxis Electric and Airflow models include an onboard motor that lets you adjust lumbar support at the touch of a button. Plus, OmniStretch Mode provides a five-minute back massage.

21. Moto Watch Ultra

The Moto Watch Ultra deserves a Best of IFA award not because it breaks new ground or revolutionizes the smartwatch category, but because it does one thing right: it finally brings Google’s Wear OS software back to Motorola’s watches.

It’s a huge upgrade over the custom software Moto ships on its cheaper watches, making the Watch Ultra the best smartwatch from Motorola in years. Plus, you get fitness tracking powered by Polar, a snazzy design, LTE connectivity, dual GPS support, and up to two days of battery life.

22. Xiaomi 18 Fold

Xiaomi made a big splash at IFA with the introduction of the Xiaomi 18 Fold, a foldable smartphone that looks almost exactly like Apple’s iPhone Duo – with the iPhone 18 Pro’s coolest color. It adopts a shorter, wider design that’s optimal for watching movies and multitasking, and it’s powered by Xiaomi’s new Xring 03 chip.

We don’t know everything about the phone just yet, but it looks like it’ll be one of Apple’s biggest rivals in Asia when it launches.

23. iFLYTEK AINOTE 2

There’s an innumerable amount of E-Ink tablets that let you scribe notes, but unless you sort them meticulously into folders, most of your documents will sit buried in your Kindle Scribe, Remarkable, or what have you. iFLYTEK AINOTE 2 changes this narrative by using AI to digitize your handwritten notes into searchable digital text. At the same time, this device can transcribe live conversations and meetings to produce actionable items and a calendar schedule to keep you on track. Even as a simple E-ink tablet, the iFLYTEK AINOTE 2 stands out as one of the thinnest at 4.2mm thick, and it weighs just 295 grams, too.

24. xLean TR1

This robot vacuum cleaner from xLean has a really cool trick we haven’t seen before: it can act as a normal vacuum cleaner, too. The dual vacuum-and-mop system can operate on its own like a normal robot cleaner, but you can also attach an arm to it and push it around your home to clean your floors. That’s on top of all the neat features built in, like dual-motor suction, obstacle avoidance, intelligent mopping for detecting heavy stains, and more.

25. Humanoid PrimeBOT T1

At IFA 2026, we got to witness the PrimeBOT T1, a robot whose sole purpose is to be your companion and bust a move. It can walk on all fours in a sort of “robot dog”-esque mode, then stand up and walk around like a human.

PrimeBOT demoed its appeal for younger users, like children, with a bunch of built-in modes that make it feel friendly and fun to interact with. Plus, it has obstacle avoidance built in, so it won’t run into anything around your home. By far the most advanced robot we saw at IFA.

26. Plaud One Explorer Edition

Plaud has taken its fantastic note-taking AI agent and put it into a new form factor: earbuds. While Plaud isn’t the first to do this, the One Explorer Edition AI Earbuds also support 4G eSIMs, so they can work completely independently without a tethered phone or laptop.

Plaid’s AI assistant is more robust than most and can connect to tools like Gmail, Google Calendar, Notion, and Slack to draft follow-up emails or create documents and presentations after any conversation.

27. JMGO IRIS Ultra Max

There’s a whole lot of horsepower built into the IRIS Ultra Max projector from JMGO. With a dual-iris system, the projector can reach up to 6,500 lumens while maintaining an impressive 10,000:1 native contrast ratio, keeping content sharp and vivid in any lighting condition. It supports up to 4K output at 120Hz, comes with a motorized pan-and-tilt gimbal for adjusting the image, and is powered by Google TV to support all your favorite streaming services.

28. Fitueyes TV stands

With modern designs and plenty of versatile options, Fitueyes had a big presence at IFA with its TV stands, consoles, and other furniture for your living room. We found one of its TV consoles to be particularly interesting: press a button on a remote and the console will present a huge projection screen, turning your living room or basement into a movie theater. Its other stands are made with premium materials and support a wide range of TV sizes and weights, with an option in the lineup for everyone.

29. DJI Osmo 360 II

DJI made major improvements to its 360º camera line by introducing the Osmo 360 II. It’s now equipped with a much better sensor that can capture 8K video at 60fps, giving creators more versatility and resolution to play with in the editing room. It’s safe underwater for cool snorkeling shots, the lenses are user-replaceable in case one breaks, and the design is much tougher than before to withstand any adventure you take it on. It makes DJI a much stronger contender against companies like Insta360 and worthy of consideration if you’re in the market for a new, high-end action cam.

30. Qualcomm Dragonwing Q-2390

Qualcomm’s latest Dragonwing is the Q-2390, and it makes significant strides in incorporating powerful technologies like on-device AI into small, efficient, and cost-friendly devices. It’s designed to power the displays, cameras, and other IO in a single package, this time more efficiently than ever before. It’ll make its way into appliances, smart home devices, and commercial gadgets in the near future.

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Ahead of the release of the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12 later this week, Apple has begun rolling out iOS 27 to all supported users dating back to the iPhone 11. The update is easily one of Apple’s best in years, as it delivers on key performance upgrades that make your phone feel smoother and more responsive. It also has a boatload of new features that make it a worthwhile upgrade for everyone.

I’ve been using iOS 27 since the very first beta came out in June. Oftentimes, I’m a proponent of new software upgrades simply because they’re more secure and give you access to new features, but they can be daunting for average consumers. Luckily, this year’s iOS version is filled with small adjustments that make your iPhone experience much better than iOS 26 - yes, even with all those Siri AI features.

dbrand MNML cases

• iPhone 18 Pro: $39

• iPhone 18 Pro Max: $39

• AirPods Pro 3: $29

• Slim wallet: $29

• Kickstand wallet: $39

More: iPhone 18 Pro cases: The 14 best for style, protection, and value

Why you should upgrade to iOS 27

🚀 Performance gets a big boost. It all starts with the better performance. Apple touts up to 30% faster app launches and 80% faster AirDrop transfers with iOS 27, and you can see it. My iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air feel noticeably faster and more responsive than they did running iOS 26, with snappier animations and less time waiting for AirDrop transfers to complete. Folks I know who have tested the iOS 27 beta on older iPhones say the update improves things for them even more. Apple did a ton of work under the hood to make its software much faster than before, and you’ll notice it the second it’s on your phone.

🤖 Siri AI is actually helpful. For the first time in Siri’s existence, Apple’s smart assistant isn’t a pain in the rear end. Siri AI completely revamps the experience with new Apple Foundation Models that incorporate Google Gemini, giving you a more contextual and personable experience that can understand basic human language. It can see what’s on your screen, decipher what’s in a picture, and be interrupted, just like Gemini or ChatGPT. You get a rolling list of all your chats, Siri remembers what you said yesterday and what your plans are in your calendar, and it looks a lot prettier than it used to. I’ll have more thoughts to share on Siri AI on The Shortcut Live this week, but in short, it’s a night and day improvement over old Sirl.

🫧 Liquid Glass is easier to see. Did you hate how Liquid Glass looked when you first installed iOS 26? Lucky for you, it’ll look a lot better with iOS 27. Not only did Apple adjust the opacity of the UI to make text and icons clearer, but you can also adjust how clear it is depending on your preferences. It can be completely frosted over, or it can be as clear as a glass of drinking water. I kept my toggle smack in the middle, which was perfect for my tastes, but if you want to change things up, you now have the option.

🤳 iPhone Handoff might be super underrated. I’ve been switching between my iPhone Pro Max and my iPhone Air quite a bit lately, so I’m excited to get iPhone Handoff so I can properly dual-wield two iPhones. It’s a feature Apple built into iOS 27 that lets you share the same phone number on two different iPhones, with the one you pick up next becoming the active one. Carriers will need to offer support for the feature, with T-Mobile up first in the United States. I’m unbelievably excited for this since it means I can have a personal phone and a work phone, both with the same phone number. Follow me on X to see my first impressions when I gain access to it.

💬 Sending big photos over text gets easier. Apple has tweaked the backend of Messages to make sending texts to people a bit easier. There’s improved syncing across your devices which is nice, and you can reply in-line with RCS messages for the first time. But the biggest kicker? Sending big pictures or videos. If you send one with a string of text and it fails, it’ll automatically try again until it works. It’ll also make sure both the image or video and the text are sent at the same time, so that the person on the other end doesn’t lose context for what you’re sending. I’ve seen these improvements for myself, and they’re definitely appreciated.

💳 The Wallet app is much nicer to use. Two big improvements to Wallet make it feel like a whole new app. For one, you get a calendar of recurring expenses that’ll notify you when one is coming up - that comes in clutch all the time for budgeting throughout the month. Then there’s the bill-splitting feature. It’s built into the Siri section of the Camera app and can take a picture of your bill. Then, it uses AI to highlight each item. You can tap on each item you purchased and, afterwards, use a floating calculator to figure out how much you owe someone for dinner or lunch. I’ve used it a couple of times and, boy oh boy, is it handy.

📍 Temporarily share your location. I’d also like to highlight a feature I’ve been using a lot for work trips: temporary location sharing in Find My. Now, in iOS 27, you can share your location with a friend for a set period of time, then have it turn off automatically. I’ve used it to share my location with Matt so he can find me at trade shows and roaming the streets of the foreign city we’re visiting. Then, when we’re back in Manhattan it turns off.

How to update to iOS 27

If you want any of these features on your iPhone, here’s how to update it to iOS 27.

1. Open your phone and go to Settings.

2. Tap on General.

3. Then, tap Software update.

4. You should see iOS 27 waiting for you. If you don’t, wait a bit longer until Apple’s servers send it to your phone.

5. From there, tap the blue Update now button.

6. It’ll take a while for it to download, but once it does, you’ll be able to hit Install.

7. Let your iPhone do its thing and reboot. When it comes back on, you’ll be equipped with iOS 27 and all the snazzy new features I just mentioned.

What else dropped today?

Apple is also rolling out these new software updates to its other devices.

• iPadOS 27

• watchOS 27

• macOS 27 Golden Gate

• tvOS 27

• visionOS 27

• homeOS 27

You can follow similar steps to what I outlined above to update your devices with those software updates as well.

Up next! ⬇️

Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.

• 💰 The Steam Frame starts at $1,059 for the 256GB model

• 📈 The 1TB version climbs to $1,299

• ✍️ Sign-ups are live right now on Steam and close on September 17, after which Valve randomizes the queue

• 😮 If you see ‘out of stock’ don’t panic – not a single Steam Frame has sold yet. You’re reserving a spot, not buying a unit

• 📅 Purchase invites start going out on September 21, with the Steam Frame officially launching on

Steam Frame sign-up

At long last, we finally have the crucial details we’ve been waiting for: the Steam Frame price, pre-order, and release date. And if you’re in the market for a VR headset, you can reserve yours now on Steam.

Don’t worry if you see an “Out of stock” button. Like with the Steam Machine, Valve is letting users reserve its next piece of hardware – though you’re at the mercy of a lottery system, essentially.

You can reserve your interest in both Steam Frame models, and you’ll either be one of the first to buy the headset when it’s available, or enter a waitlist for when more units become available.

You’ll also need to have a Steam account that’s in good standing and have recently made a purchase. Fresh accounts made just to grab a unit won’t cut it – a pleasing anti-scalper guardrail.

How to reserve a Steam Frame

The steps are simple, but the timing matters:

1. Sign up now on Steam for whichever model (or models) you want. You can register interest in more than one config to boost your odds.

2. Sign-ups close on September 17. At that moment, Valve closes the list and runs a one-time randomization to set the order. Refreshing the page gives you no advantage over someone who signed up later.

3. Watch your inbox on September 17. You’ll get one of two emails: either you’ve landed a reservation with a Steam Frame held in your name, or you’re on the waitlist for when more units free up.

4. Buying will start on September 17. Valve sends the first batch of purchase invites that day and works down the queue as stock allows.

Steam Frame price: every model

Valve is selling two models of the Steam Machine, which only differ in terms of storage and price:

• Steam Frame 256GB - $1,059, comes with a copy of Half-Life: Alyx, a power supply is not included

• Steam Frame 1TB - $1,299, comes with a copy of Half: Life Alyx, a power supply is not included

Steam Frame specs

Display and optics

• Resolution: 2160×2160 LCD per eye

• Refresh Rate: 72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, and 144Hz (experimental)

• Optics: Pancake lenses

• Field of View (FOV): Up to 110 degrees

• IPD Adjustment: Variable with a physical dial

Performance and storage

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

• RAM: 16GB Unified LPDDR5X

• Storage: 256GB or 1TB UFS

• Expandable Storage: Yes, via a microSD card slot

Connectivity

• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7, with dual 5GHz and 6GHz radios

• Wireless Adapter: Bundled Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz) USB adapter for direct, low-latency PC connection

Other specifications

• Tracking: Inside-out computer vision tracking, with eye tracking support

• Audio: Integrated dual audio drivers in the headstrap

• Weight: 185g for the core unit; 440g with the standard headstrap and facial interface installed

• Battery: 21.6 Wh rechargeable Li-ion battery located in the rear headstrap

• Expansion Port: User-accessible front expansion port

Steam Frame vs Meta Quest 3: which should you buy?

When it comes to the Steam Frame vs Meta Quest 3, the Steam Frame feels like the next big thing for VR, though some may see it as more of a refinement than an evolution of the Meta Quest 3. The price will be a big factor for many, as the Meta Quest 3 is far more affordable. However, its open-ended nature means it’ll appeal to tinkerers, and its promise to let you play your entire Steam library in a new 2D display mode is also a unique selling point.

Walmart: Meta Quest 3

Best Buy: Meta Quest 3

GameStop: Meta Quest 3

Amazon: Meta Quest 3

Up next: Steam Machine review roundup: ‘an expensive curio, rather than a gaming device for the masses’

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🎮 Apple has reportedly been developing an iPhone gaming controller for over a year

• 🎧 The controller will launch under the Beats brand to enter the third-party accessories market

• 👍 Using the Beats brand allows Apple to release experimental gaming hardware without risking its core brand identity

• 👀 Specific controller features are unknown, but strong Beats brand recognition is expected to boost consumer trust

Apple has always positioned the iPhone as a gaming platform, but we’ve never seen the Cupertino-based company release any specific branded hardware to support its gaming ambitions. However, that could be set to change.

According to reliable insider Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple has “been working on gaming controllers for the iPhone for a bit over a year”.

Instead of being Apple-branded, the controller will be designed under the Beats brand, and it could kick-start the release of more experimental products.

Beats, which was acquired by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion, has only really been used for headphones primarily, but Gurman says Apple could use Beats to “capitalize on the third-party accessories market” without risking the prestigious Apple brand.

Gurman believes Beats would be a good fit for a gaming controller, as it fits “naturally under the Beats umbrella” as a culture and lifestyle product.

As for what the controller will entail, there are few details available. We’ve seen countless mobile controllers over the years, from clip-ons to wireless and transforming designs.

A Beats iPhone gaming controller would be an easy choice for many consumers, who will immediately recognize the brand and therefore feel its trustworthy and more reliable than a competing, yet unknown third-party brand.

Apple already sells third-party controllers on its store, including the PS5 DualSense controller and the Backbone One.

Up next: iPhone 18 Pro cases: The 14 best for style, protection, and value

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 📅 Valve is expected to announce the Steam Frame release date, pricing, and pre-orders today, September 14

• 🚨 Sign-ups for the reservation queue run until September 17, with order emails expected to go out on September 21

• e👀 A 30-minute review video accidentally leaked on Short Circuit, and the headset is expected to start at $1,000 for 256GB

• 🎮 The Steam Frame is Valve’s second VR headset following the Index, supporting both PC streaming and standalone gameplay

After several false dawns and misplaced predictions, it looks like the Steam Frame launch will take place today, September 14.

After a flurry of new information was revealed by data miners, the Steam Frame release date, price, and pre-order should be revealed at 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm BST / 7pm CEST, with sign-ups for the reservation queue lasting until September 17, 2026. After that date, users will be entered into a randomized queue, similar to the Steam Controller and Steam Machine.

Emails will be sent out on September 18 to let you know whether you made it into the reservation queue or if you’re on the waitlist. September 21 is predicted to be the date order emails will start being sent out.

It’s likely that the first wave of Steam Frame reviews will also appear today, as Linus Tech Tips’ second channel, Short Circuit, published a 30-minute Steam Frame review accidentally before it was pulled.

The Steam Frame is expected to cost at least $1,000 for the 256GB model. Hopefully, there will be more supply than the extremely scarce Steam Machine and Steam Controller, as Valve has received several Steam Frame shipments during this year.

However, you’ll want to sign-up to reserve your unit, otherwise you’ll be at the mercy of a randomized queue which likely won’t deliver a Steam Frame until next year at the earliest.

The Steam Frame is Valve’s second attempt at a VR headset after the Index. It’s designed with streaming from a PC in mind, but also allows you to play games standalone on the headset.

Up next: Steam Machine and Nvidia GeForce Now are a match made in cloud gaming heaven

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🤲 Apple’s new foldable iPhone Duo has enamored the media with its polished form factor, overshadowing years of iterations from competitors like Samsung

• 🥰 It features an ideal passport-style footprint with rounded right edges for comfortable handling and an almost invisible screen crease

• 👏 Apple has custom-built iOS to allow apps to switch seamlessly between inner and outer displays, offering a superior multitasking experience

• 📈 Despite trade-offs like weaker cameras, a smaller battery, and a high price tag of $1,999, it is positioned to be the best-selling foldable on the market

Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo has dominated headlines and media attention since its reveal, and the flurry of disgruntled posts from Samsung Mobile’s X account that followed wasn’t a surprise.

While I can sympathize with Samsung’s frustration that Apple is notoriously late to the party and already deemed the belle of the ball, the Korean company has had several years to become the de facto foldable.

dbrand MNML cases

• iPhone 18 Pro: $39

• iPhone 18 Pro Max: $39

• AirPods Pro 3: $29

• Slim wallet: $29

• Kickstand wallet: $39

However, ever since it launched the Galaxy Z Fold in 2019, too many minor iterations have allowed Apple to step in and render years of work seem irrelevant. And that must hurt, when Samsung was the one that established the foldable market.

Apple magic

Apple has waited patiently until it felt it could improve on everything that has come before it.

From the gorgeous opening and closing animation to the almost invisible crease, it’s the little things that elevate a product from something we’ve already seen to something you actually want.

I used to lament Apple for being overly cautious and essentially spring-boarding off the foundations laid down by other companies, but you can’t help but admire the execution. Samsung may have accused Apple of “reheating its leftovers”, but in reality, it’s taken the same ingredients, added more flavor, and nailed the presentation. It’s the equivalent of eating at a fine-dining restaurant compared to a drive-in diner.

A great example is the Duo’s passport-style footprint. Samsung has beaten Apple to the punch, sure, but Apple made the form factor even better by prominently rounding out the right-hand edges so it doesn’t dig into your palm. Suddenly, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 looks sharp and unwieldy.

Apple has also clearly put in the hours to ensure iOS 27 and its apps work wonderfully with the new displays, whereas Android is always hit-and-miss. The way apps can be viewed side by side, sit above one another, or seamlessly switch between the inner and outer displays is almost magical. Apple even moved the main UI elements to the right-hand side, making them easier to reach.

And that’s crucial to the overall experience. “It just works,” as Apple’s Steve Jobs would famously say.

The iPhone Duo doesn’t feel as experimental as the iPhone Air, either, which had one too many compromises for most users. You’re still getting the A20 Pro chip, as well as a 48MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide and an additional under-display camera. The periscope zoom found on the 18 Pro Max is missing, but I doubt many people are buying the Duo for that. The display is also 120Hz, there’s MagSafe, and support for the Apple Pencil is on the way.

Durability, which was a problem with earlier foldable phones, appears to be top-notch, with water resistance and higher dust resistance than Samsung, Motorola, Huawei, or any other competing foldable.

The only real downside, then, is that the battery size is reduced, though Apple promises it will still last at least 24 hours. Face ID has also been replaced by Touch ID, which is hardly a deal breaker for people who still miss the ease of the home button. It’s just a well-rounded, well thought-out device.

This is the way

The iPhone Duo is a polished, sleek, yet cautious upgrade of what competitors have been offering for years. And although it isn’t a generational product, the Duo proves once again that only Apple can deliver the potent combination of quality hardware, thoughtful design, and innovative software that continues to elude its rivals.

Is the iPhone Duo the best foldable on the market, then? We’ll know for sure once we get our hands on it for review. But I can confidently say it’ll easily be the best-selling foldable to date, despite its $1,999 price tag, and the only one I’d consider buying.

The iPhone Duo didn’t need to reinvent the wheel. Apple only needed to improve on every foldable that came before it to make everything else seem obsolete.

Playing it safe may be frustrating for some, but for Apple, it just works.

Up next: Our iPhone Duo hot takes and first impressions

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 👀 Rockstar Games has not officially announced a GTA 6 Collector’s Edition, despite high demand

• 📷 A potential Collector’s Edition box was reportedly photographed by an employee in Mexico

• 🤷‍♂️ The photos have since been deleted, leading to speculation that the box could be for promotional use or influencers

• 💰 Currently, only a $99.99 Ultimate Edition containing in-game items is officially available

Rockstar Games hasn’t announced a GTA 6 Collector’s Edition, despite the fact that there’s clearly demand for a premium version that includes some physical goodies.

• Walmart: GTA 6 - $79.99

• Best Buy - GTA 6 - $79.99

• GameStop: GTA 6 - $79.99

• Amazon: GTA 6 - $79.99

• Target: GTA 6 - $79.99

• PlayStation Store: GTA 6 - $79.99

So far, only an Ultimate Edition is available, which contains exclusive in-game items and costs $99.99. However, a GTA 6 Collector’s Edition may have been spotted in Mexico.

A box for the GTA 6 Collector’s Edition was reportedly photographed by an employee of Unique Services Group located in Mexico. The employee stated that the box could include a disc as they saw “a circular piece where a disc could fit”. However, we know that GTA 6 physical copies only include a download code in the box, and that other collector’s editions have shipped with a steelbox, despite no disc being included.

The poster has since deleted the photos of the GTA 6 Collector’s Edition, so take this with a pinch of salt. People are speculating that the box could just be for promotional purposes, or maybe for influencers.

Either way, the general sentiment seems to be that the leak could indeed be real, and that many would be willing to pay more for a GTA 6 Collector’s Edition, if one is announced. Remember, GTA 6 costs $10 more than usual at $79.99, and the Ultimate Edition is $99.99. Rockstar Games could charge at least $149.99 for the Collector’s Edition and make even more money.

Up next: GTA 6 PC release date could arrive sooner than expected, as PS5 and Xbox prices rise

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 😔 The NEOGEO AES+ has been delayed from its original release date to September 2027

• 😤 Global component supply constraints are the primary reason for the delay

• 👍 Existing pre-orders remain secure with no price increases, and ten classic games will launch alongside the console

• 🙏🏼 PLAION is offering a “Founding Supporter Bonus” with launch units as a thank you to waiting customers

Amazon: NEOGEO AES+

Amazon: NEOGEO AES+ Anniversary Edition

Amazon: NEOGEO AES+ games

Plaion Replai: NEOGEO AES+

The NEOGEO AES+, the hotly anticipated remake of the original NEOGEO AES, has suffered a lengthy delay until September 2027. The console was supposed to be released on November 12, 2026, but has been pushed back at the last hour.

The ten classic NEOGEO AES+ games, which include Metal Slug and The King of Fighters 2002, will also be released next year because of the delay. That includes the NEOGEO AES+ accessories, too.

In a statement from PLAION, the company explained why the NEOGEO AES+ has been delayed and offered its apologies:

“We know many of you have been looking forward to receiving your NEOGEO AES+ this year. We’re sorry to say that the worldwide release will now take place on 16th September 2027.

“The response to NEOGEO AES+ has been extraordinary, but global component supply constraints mean we simply cannot manufacture enough systems to deliver the worldwide launch our community deserves.”

“Rather than launch with severely limited availability, we’re taking the extra time to expand production, secure the components we need, and invest in an even bigger future for NEOGEO AES+.”

Thankfully, PLAION said anyone who has pre-ordered will keep their priority place and that their order remains secure. There will also be no price increase, and no further action is required.

A “Founding Supporter Bonus” will also be included with every console shipped from its launch production run, as a way of thanking players for their patience and support.

PLAION ended its statement by saying, “We know this is a significant delay, and we’re genuinely sorry. Thank you for sticking with us.”

Up next: NEOGEO AES+ Ultimate Edition: where to buy, and what you get for $999.99

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 👏 Nintendo Switch 2 system update 23.0.0 adds VRR (variable refresh rate) support in TV Mode, requiring a compatible TV and a dock update

• 👍 Users can now toggle Handheld Mode Boost on and off directly from the Quick Settings menu

• 🚀 Complete data transfer is now supported between two Switch 2 consoles, transferring all data including saves and screenshots

• 🎶 The update adds background music to the Mii editor, GameChat improvements, and temporary online licenses for offline virtual game cards

Walmart: Zelda Switch 2 console

Best Buy: Zelda Switch 2 console

GameStop: Zelda Switch 2 console

It’s been a jam-packed week for Nintendo after two back-to-back Directs, and now the Japanese company has released a new system update for Switch 2 that adds a long-awaited feature: VRR support in TV Mode.

Previously, VRR – or variable refresh rate – was only available when playing the Switch 2 in handheld mode. VRR helps mitigate the feeling of frame rate drops, eliminates screen tearing, and provides a smoother experience overall. However, when the Switch 2 was docked, VRR was disabled, which created a frustrating disparity between the two modes.

To enable VRR, you’ll need to have a TV that supports the feature and also update the Switch 2 dock. Annoyingly, it seems like developers will have to enable VRR support on a per-game basis, as opposed to the feature being applied at a system level.

As part of update version 23.0.0, VRR has now been added, along with some other welcome additions. For instance, you can now toggle Handheld Mode Boost on and off from the Quick Settings menu, classic music tracks have been added to the Mii editor, GameChat has been improved, and you can now perform a system transfer between one Switch 2 console to another – handy if you plan on picking up The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Switch 2.

Here are the full patch notes:

• We’ve added a feature that displays chats you’ve previously participated in, in the list of chats you can join.

• We’ve made it possible to join a new chat without selecting any friends.

• We’ve added a button to change the screen size in the menu that appears when you press the C button during a chat.

• We’ve added a “Settings” option to the “Virtual Game Card” list screen.

You can check the registration status of the device using the virtual game card.

VRR output is now supported in TV mode. When both the software and the TV support it, the video will be output at a refresh rate that matches the game’s processing speed. An update to the Nintendo Switch 2 Dock is required to enable this feature.

Nintendo Switch 2 now supports “complete data transfer” between two Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. You can transfer all your data, including save data and screenshots, from your Switch 2 to your new Switch 2 console.

Made the following changes in “Settings”.

• Under “Accessibility” → “Text-to-Speech,” we have added support for text-to-speech in Portuguese (Brazil).

• Under “Accessibility” → “Voice-to-Text Conversion for Game Chat,” we’ve added Portuguese (Brazil) to the list of languages ​​for “Text-to-Speech Conversion.”

• We’ve made it so that the “Audio” -> “TV Sound” settings are saved for each connected TV.

• The item name “Display” → “Dock Output Information” has been changed to “Video Output Information” to allow users to check in detail the video signals that the connected TV can display.

• We’ve added a “VRR Settings” option to the “Display” section.

• We’ve added a feature to “Mii” that allows you to create a QR code of your Mii and share it with other users.

• We’ve added a feature that allows you to instantly play and check the sound when you change the volume under “Sleep” → “Sleep wake-up sound when playing on TV”.

• We have added an item to “System” → “Switch Software Operation Mode” → “Toggle Handheld Mode Boost in Quick Settings”. Turning this setting ON will allow you to toggle the Handheld Mode Boost ON/OFF in the Quick Settings menu that appears when you long-press the HOME button.

• We’ve added a new option: “System” → “Transfer all to Nintendo Switch 2”.

Even if you cannot transfer the virtual game card from another console when starting the software, you can now temporarily play the software using an online license. If another console is offline and you are unable to transfer the virtual game card, the “Play with Online License” button will appear. Only the person who purchased the software can play it using an online license.

• added a feature to play background music in the Mii editing screen. You can switch or stop the background music (BGM) using the “BGM Settings” button in the upper left corner of the screen.

• Regarding handheld mode boost, we’ve made it possible to use other controllers even while Joy-Con 2s are attached to the console.

• In the “My Page” → “Profile” play record, play time when playing the same software on multiple consoles will now be aggregated. The games you’ve played since the update will be displayed in chronological order.

• We have fixed several issues and improved operational stability.

The Nintendo Switch has also received a new firmware update:

• We’ve added a “Settings” option to the “Virtual Game Card” list screen. You can check the registration status of the device using the virtual game card.

• Even if you cannot transfer the virtual game card from another console when starting the software, you can now temporarily play the software using an online license. If another console is offline and you are unable to transfer the virtual game card, the “Play with Online License” button will appear. Only the person who purchased the software can play it using an online license.

• We have fixed several issues and improved operational stability.

Nintendo has also updated Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour so that the VRR Slider Demo works in TV Mode, as previously – for obvious reasons – it did not.

Up next: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 and Pro Controller: where to buy

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

The iPhone Duo is the most radical change to the iPhone design in its nearly 20-year history. Apple unveiled the device during its “Surprise and shine” event, where new CEO John Ternus used Steve Jobs’ famous “One more thing…” line to usher in the foldable iPhone era.

Apple revealed this $1,999 iPhone shortly after five other devices: the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5. It was a jam-packed event that somehow ran under 90 minutes, and we live-blogged every major detail.

Of course, for our loyal Substack audience, we have so many thoughts – all delivered straight to your inbox. It’s the biggest shake-up to Apple’s devices in a long time, and we’ll have even more to say on The Shortcut Live tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

For now, here are our early impressions, plus all the small details you might’ve missed.

1. Let’s start with dbrand’s MNML iPhone 18 Pro cases

Apple’s shiny new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are more durable than ever, but still susceptible to accidental damage. If you plan to pick one up, our sponsor dbrand might have just what you’re looking for with its new MNML case line.

The MNML case is dbrand’s first ultra-thin case that’s designed to protect your device from scratches and light drops. Despite being so thin, dbrand says the case can survive drops up to 10 feet, notably high for any thin case. It also comes with a sandstone texture on the outside for extra grip, click buttons, and MagSafe magnets.

The case ships in four colors: black, dark red, dark blue, and tan. It’s available for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, as well as AirPods Pro 3.

MNML cases

• iPhone 18 Pro: $39

• iPhone 18 Pro Max: $39

• AirPods Pro 3: $29

• Slim wallet: $29

• Kickstand wallet: $39

2. Thoughts on the iPhone Duo

The big dog, the one everyone keeps staring at on Instagram and X, the one that our humble Substack leader - Matt Swider - claims he’s “definitely” buying on day one (for himself, not us). The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable phone ever, and the way it’s positioned is interesting in and of itself.

Whereas most folding phones try to emphasize that they do, in fact, fold in half, Apple wants this to be thought of as the most immersive (and versatile) iPhone experience you can have. From the 5.4-inch cover screen to the 7.6-inch folding display, Apple has optimized iOS 27 to work better for the funkier form factor. Apps have new layouts and dynamically adapt based on which screen you’re using, tools and controls live on the right side for easy access, split-screen multitasking lets you run two apps at the same time, and you get access to all of the new Siri AI features launching this fall.

It seems like an extremely well-built piece of hardware. Apple uses titanium for the build, which keeps it lightweight and thin at just 5.2mm when open (0.4mm thinner than iPhone Air). The hinge seems extremely sturdy, while the folding screen itself has a nano texture for a glare-free experience. Plus, we’re hearing the crease is barely noticeable… although we don’t know for sure whether it’s gone entirely.

It’s the most impressive-looking iPhone we’ve seen in a long time, which comes at a cost. At $1,999 and up depending on how much storage you need, the iPhone Duo could be out of reach for some. But for Apple’s most loyal early adopters? Yeah, this thing’ll sell like hot cakes.

iPhone Duo price and specs

• 🙏 Apple’s first foldable phone

• 📱 5.4” cover screen, 90% of the iPhone 18 Pro screen area

• 📺 7.6” inner screen, 50% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max screen

• 🎬 Identical 1.4:1 aspect ratio inside and out

• 💦 IP68 rating makes it more dust- and water-resistant than most other foldables

• 🤳 Apple’s first under-display selfie camera

• 🖊️ Any regular Apple Pencil works on either display; no special S Pen needed

• 📷 Dual cameras: 48MP main camera and 48MP ultra-wide

• 📲 iOS 27 is fully optimized for larger displays with unique app layouts, easy-to-reach controls, and more

• 🎨 Two colors: Night Sky and Star White

• 🔋 24-hour “all-day” battery life and up to 44 hours with just the cover screen

• 🔌 50% wired charging in 20 minutes and 50% MagSafe charging in 30 minutes

• 🏷️ $1,999 starting price for 256GB model, upwards of $3,000 for 2TB

• 📦 Preorders begin October 16; goes on sale October 23

3. Samsung already fired back at Apple’s dig

We love when tech brands fight with each other – it’s usually good news for us consumers, spurring innovation and driving down prices. The latter is really needed right now.

Ternus didn’t mention Samsung specifically during the Apple Event, but he did say that other foldables “feel like two phones awkwardly stuck together.” That’s true of everything before the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Fold 8, but Samsung has led the way in thin fold designs.

It didn’t take long for Samsung to fire off some shade of its own. “Let us know when you’re done reheating our leftovers,” chimed in Samsung’s official X account. With the iPhone Duo adding Apple Pencil support, MagSafe, and better dust resistance, it’s only a matter of time before Samsung has to match those perks with the Galaxy Z Fold 9.

4. More MNML case designs up for pre-order

In addition to the new MNML cases, dbrand is introducing a couple of new wallet accessories to complement them. There’s the new slim wallet, which comes with a thin, sandstone design and can hold three cards. There’s also the kickstand wallet, which takes the slim wallet and adds a kickstand for hands-free use. Both come in the same colors so your entire setup matches, and if you bundle them with your case, you can save a few bucks at checkout.

We’re hyped to get our hands on these cases and use them with our iPhone 18 Pros.

MNML cases

• iPhone 18 Pro: $39

• iPhone 18 Pro Max: $39

• AirPods Pro 3: $29

• Slim wallet: $29

• Kickstand wallet: $39

5. iPhone 18 Pro & 18 Pro Max thoughts

The phone I’m upgrading to is the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which was also announced alongside the regular iPhone 18 Pro. While not as flashy or revolutionary as the iPhone Duo, these two new iPhone Pros have enough upgrades to make me more interested in jumping from my 17 Pro Max than I expected.

The biggest difference-maker for me is battery life. Apple says the regular iPhone 18 Pro will last as long as the iPhone 17 Pro Max does, thanks to a bigger battery and the more efficient A20 Pro. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro Max gets the best battery life of any iPhone, reaching up to 45 hours of video playback on a charge. That’s six hours longer than the 17 Pro Max, which makes me think this could be the ultimate smartphone for traveling.

I’m also hype for the new camera system. Apple didn’t change the 48MP ultra-wide and telephoto lenses this year, but they did give the main camera an important upgrade: it now comes with a variable aperture, which dynamically adjusts how much light hits the sensor based on the light around you. At night, it can let in 50% more light than before, while daytime photos will use a narrower aperture for a wider depth of field and less blur.

Oh, and the new colors are dope. I’m 100% getting the Black model (the one so many people wanted from the 17 Pro). I will admit, for a pop of color, Burgundy looks very nice, as does the new Glacier finish. Silver looks pretty good too, since they all ship with color-matched back glass instead of a two-toned finish.

iPhone 18 Pro prices and specs

• 📸 Triple-lens 48 MP rear camera

• 👀 Main Camera has a six-blade variable aperture for smooth bokeh photos

• 🏝️ Smaller Dynamic Island supports up to 3 apps (up from 2)

• ⚙️ New 2nm A20 Pro chip with 32-core Neural Engine

• 🥶 Improved vapor chamber cooling

• 🔋 iPhone’s longest battery life yet

• 🔌 50% charge in 15 mins

• 📲 iOS 27, customizable Liquid Glass, improved search, 80% faster AirDrop transfers, enhanced parental controls, iPhone Handoff

• 🎨 Burgundy, Glacier, Silver, Deep Black

• 💰 $100 more expensive starting prices: $1,199 iPhone 18 Pro and $1,299 iPhone 18 Pro Max

• 📦 Preorders begin September 12; goes on sale September 18

6. Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 refresh

The new Apple Watches are positioned to compete not just with other smartwatches, but fitness wearables as a whole. The Series 12 and Ultra 4 bring major health-tracking upgrades, including continuous heart rate tracking, heart rate variability identification, improved Readiness scores, and more granular strength-training data.

Together, these upgrades seem positioned to compete with wearable devices like the Whoop and Fitbit Air, which many people wear alongside their Apple Watches (myself included). The new Apple Intelligence-infused Health app and the watches’ more powerful health tracking could be enough to convince people to go all-in on tracking their health with Apple Watch, although I want to spend some time with them to know whether it’s worth sacrificing my beloved Whoop MG.

Meanwhile, AI is also at the core of these watches. Apple Intelligence has a bigger presence with Audio Intelligence, which can alert you to certain sounds like doorbells and alarms if you’re hard of hearing. There’s also this weird instantaneous recap feature that recalls what someone just said 15 seconds ago: double-tap the Digital Crown to bring it up, and you can read what the person just said.

That ties in with Siri Recap, which records everything people say around you during the day and gives you a recap when you go to bed. This is how a lot of AI wearables work, which eventually leads to privacy concerns. Apple notes it won’t store audio recordings for the feature to work, but I don’t know… it’s a little weird recording what everyone says all day, right?

Apple Watch Series 12 pricing and specs

• ⌚ Same look, upgraded with new S11 processor and health sensors

• 💗 Up to 60x more heart rate monitoring that happens every 5 seconds

• 📲 Redesigned Health App, arriving later this year, adds Longevity tab and Health Age

• 🎙️ Audio Intelligence enables real-life conversation rewind

• 🛡️ Ceramic Shield 2 screen on aluminum models is 60% tougher

• 🔋 24 hours of “everyday” battery life. Recharge 12 hours of use in just 15 mins

• 🏺 Ceramic options return in pearl white and night blue

• 🎨 6 color options: dark bronze, black, light gold, space gray aluminum, radiant gold, and natural titanium

• 💰 $399 for aluminum cases, $699 for titanium, and $899 for ceramic

• 📦 Preorders begin today; goes on sale September 18

Apple Watch Ultra 4 pricing and specs

• 🔋 2+ days of battery life (up to 45 hours of Max Extended Workout tracking)

• ⌚ Same look, upgraded with new S11 processor and health sensors

• 💗 60x more heart rate monitoring that happens every 5 seconds

• 📲 Redesigned Health App, arriving later this year, adds Longevity tab and Health Age

• 🎙️ Audio Intelligence enables real-life conversation rewind

• 🎨 2 color options: Natural Titanium and Black Titanium

• 💰 $799 across the board

• 📦 Preorders begin today; goes on sale September 18

7. AirPods 5 seem like a solid value

The sleeper gadget of Apple’s event? The new AirPods. I’m wildly impressed with the value Apple has presented with the AirPods 5. It’s a big step up from the AirPods 4 we reviewed in 2024, borrowing some features from the AirPods Pro 3 that Matt loved last year.

For just $129, you get a pair of AirPods with better sound quality, improved ANC, longer battery life, and Siri AI integration.

For an extra $20, you can get an upgraded version of AirPods 5 that comes with touch controls on the stems, slightly longer battery life, and wireless charging. This is the version I’ll be recommending to virtually everyone, and it could go even cheaper during Black Friday.

While we didn’t get AirPods Pro 4 today, the AirPods 5 continue to prove that Apple’s earbuds are at the top of their game.

AirPods 5 prices and specs

• 🔕 Active noise cancellation available by default on all AirPods 5 models

• ➕ 50% improved noise reduction, enhanced transparency mode, new adaptive EQ and Live Translation mode

• 🫆 Added on-stem touch controls

• 🏷️ $129 for AirPods 5, $149 for AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case

• 💸 Wireless charging model is $30 cheaper than its predecessors

• 📦 Preorders begin today; goes on sale September 18

We’ll answer questions about Apple’s new devices via our Substack email (we read and respond to all your replies) and in our Substack chat.

⬆️ Tap the button & add The Shortcut as a preferred source on Google ⬆️

Apple’s answer to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is finally here: the iPhone Duo just became the latest “One More Thing” surprise at an Apple Event, and the first fresh device category introduced by new CEO John Ternus.

• See our Apple Event iPhone Duo live blog

The iPhone Duo is a passport-shaped foldable iPhone, with some extras where Samsung just can’t compete even after eight generations. Specifically, the iPhone Duo will be compatible with the Apple Pencil. It’ll also be IP68 dust- and water-resistant.

The official specs on the display sizes are: 5.4 inches on the front cover display, 7.6 inches inside. So far, there are only two colors (Samsung has Apple beat here): Star White and Night Sky. At least both look good and the entire iPhone Duo design looks premium.

It’ll come with Apple’s A20 Pro 2nm chipset, and the iOS 27 software will allow for split-screen multitasking. It’ll have Apple’s C2 modem and the A20 chip will achieve 35% better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro thanks to an improved vapor chamber. It’ll be eSIM-only worldwide and contain two high-energy batteries; according to Apple, it offers 31 hours of battery life on video playback on the inner display and 44 hours of battery life when using just the outer display.

There’s a 48MP Fusion main camera with up to 4K120fps video, but no dedicated telephoto camera, as expected (just a 2x optical crop of the 48MP camera). An ultrawide camera is the same 48MP ultrawide camera as in the iPhone 18 Pro. There’s a FaceTime camera in either orientation, but no Face ID on this device (it’s a Touch ID-only device).

Developing news…

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02:18 PM: Aaand that’s it! Event just wrapped. Stay tuned for our newsletter where we’ll recap everything, and tune into The Shortcut Live tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT for a full breakdown of everything Apple announced (and the stuff they didn’t say during the event).

02:17 PM: Here are some more photos of the iPhone Duo, including some accessories.

02:16 PM: iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 with 256GB of storage. It’s up for preorder on October 16 and goes on sale October 23.

02:16 PM: Bento box for the iPhone Duo!

02:14 PM: You get all the perks of a folding phone for taking pictures on the iPhone Duo. Prop it up like a tri-pod, use the front camera for high-quality selfies, preview your photo for subjects, get Snoopy to distract your kids so they smile, and more.

02:12 PM: The iPhone Duo comes with a 48MP main camera with 2x digital crop for a “telephoto” lens. It supports video at up to 4K 120fps in slow-mo. There’s also a 48MP ultra-wide camera, the same one that’s on the iPhone 18 Pro. The cameras support the new Photographic Styles from 18 Pro as well.

02:10 PM: Apple says the iPhone Duo lasts all day on full charge with its split-battery design. It can recharge up to 50% in about 20 minutes.

02:08 PM: Apple included the A20 Pro in the iPhone Duo, which was been specially treated to power both displays and the unique pixel layout in the top right corner on the folding display to hide the selfie camera. It also has the new C2 modem for more reliable wireless connectivity. It also adds 5G mmWave support.

02:07 PM: iPhone Duo has a nano-texture finish on the folding display to reduce reflections. They WAY over-engineered this thing, holy crap…

02:05 PM: iOS 27 has been fully adapted to the new design, and Apple is making it easy for developers to adopt their own apps for the funky new form factor.

02:03 PM: Split-view multitasking is here on iPhone Duo!

02:02 PM: I kinda can’t believe Apple didn’t round the corners on the top and bottom left. I think it looks weird but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.

02:01 PM: Apple Pencil with USB-C is compatible with iPhone Duo. Also comes with Touch ID and a hidden selfie camera on the folding display. Speaking of which, display sizes: 5.4-inch on the front, 7.6-inches inside. Colors: Star White and Night Sky.

01:59 PM: iOS 27 has been almost completely revamped for the iPhone Duo’s hardware. A lot of the controls are on the right side to make it easier to use with one hand, and app layouts dynamically adapt depending on whether it’s open or closed.

01:57 PM: This thing look so sick.

01:55 PM: IPHONE DUO IS HERE. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

01:54 PM: ONE MORE THING!!!

01:53 PM: John Ternus is on a stage in this pre-recorded video. I have to assume it’s time for… one more thing…

01:51 PM: Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, while the Ultra 4 starts at $799 (same prices as last year). Both are up for preorder today, and they each go on sale on September 18 (same day as iPhone 18 Pro and AirPods 5).

01:50 PM: Apple Watch Ultra 4 can last over two days on a charge, according to Apple. It still comes in Natural and Black colors.

01:49 PM: Apple Watch Series 12 comes in Dark Bronze, Space Gray, Silver, and Gold. It also comes in new titanium and ceramic models.

01:47 PM: Siri Recap continuously records audio of what’s going on throughout the day and gives you a text-based recap at the end of the day. You can turn it on your off at your will, and it never records any audio and stores it.

01:45 PM: The new Apple Watches come with Audio Intelligence to “make sense of what you hear.” It can detect noises like alarms and doorbells to alert you if you’re hard of hearing. It can also remind you of what was just said 15 seconds ago and give you a transcription so you can refresh your memory.

01:41 PM: Apple has redesigned the Health app with Apple Intelligence integration, Readiness scores, and personalized guidance. You also get a new Health Age, which measures your fitness and health and gives you an idea of how your vitals suggest you’re doing.

01:40 PM: That’s a bold claim.

01:38 PM: Apple is introducing a new Health Sensing System with a revamped sensor array that can measure your heart rate continuously throughout the day, measure your heart rate variability during the day, and understand your recovery better.

01:37 PM: Here’s the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4.

01:36 PM: Next up: Apple Watch!

01:35 PM: AirPods 5 cost $129 without touch controls on the stems or wireless charging. The upgraded $149 model gets both of those features, plus longer 5-hour battery. Preorders open today, and they go on sale September 18.

01:34 PM: AirPods 5 are more durable than AirPods 4, with stronger resistance to water and sweat.

01:33 PM: Apple says that AirPods are an extension of Apple Intelligence, with the ability to talk to Siri, Live Translation, and more.

01:32 PM: New AirPods 5 are here! Richer, more detailed sound and better noise cancellation. Apple says it has the best ANC you can get in a pair of earbuds without ear tips.

01:30 PM: iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are $100 more than last year. The 18 Pro starts at $1,199 while the 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299, both with 256GB. Preorders open this Saturday, September 12, and they go on sale September 18.

01:29 PM: Here’s iPhone 18 Pro!

01:28 PM: Brand-new Dynamic Island on iPhone 18 Pro can show three live activities instead of two.

01:27 PM: Apple Reference Image will add an invisible stamp to every picture you take on iPhone 18 Pro to prove that a photo is real and not AI.

01:25 PM: New Photographic Styles features: texture and grain. You get more control over color and lighting, too.

01:24 PM: Whoa, camera app got a huge upgrade for pros.

01:23 PM: New on iPhone 18 Pro: you can add cinematic blur effects to your videos after you capture them. You also get 60fps support for timelapses and slow-motion.

01:21 PM: iPhone 18 Pro officially has a new 48MP camera with a variable aperture. It can adjust the aperture automatically depending on the lighting around you.

01:19 PM: iPhone 18 Pro Max has the longest battery life of any iPhone, with up to 45 hours of video playback. It also charges way faster than before. iPhone 18 Pro should last as long as the iPhone 17 Pro Max did last year.

01:17 PM: Like the M-series chips, the A20 Pro is way more heat efficient. The silicone connects directly to the vapor chamber to keep it way cooler than the A19 Pro. There’s also a brand-new vapor chamber that integrates more cooling techniques and materials to achieve a 40% gain in sustained performance compared to 17 Pro.

01:16 PM: A20 Pro chip is definitely very powerful. Faster CPU, dual Neural Engines, 7-core GPU… yeah, it’s a friggin’ beast.

01:14 PM: Here’s where Siri AI will be available this fall. Notably, it isn’t launching in the EU or China.

01:12 PM: Okay, a LOT of talk about Siri AI to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

01:11 PM: The black iPhone 18 Pro looks so badass.

01:09 PM: The new iPhone 18 Pro comes with the A20 Pro, which has a new CPU core, a new GPU core, and a second Neural Engine for more powerful Apple Intelligence / Siri AI performance.

01:07 PM: iPhone 18 Pro is here!

01:06 PM: We’re combing over how great Apple’s AI and security is. Feels like a re-introduction to Apple’s focus on its consumers.

01:05 PM: New iPhone time! He keeps calling it your “intelligent personal hub.”

01:04 PM: Tim Cook basically passed the torch to John Ternus during the opening, which was so sick to watch.

01:03 PM: John Ternus makes his debut!

01:03 PM: OOH TIM COOK CAMEO VOICE-OVER!

01:01 PM: Starting with a film shot entirely on iPhone, one of Apple’s favorite marketing gags.

12:59 PM: Hype music is playing, the event is imminent, excitement is at an all-time high.

12:43 PM: We’re getting close to showtime! Time to make another iced latte…

11:46 AM: Just over an hour until showtime, everyone. Stay tuned!

• 🍎 Apple’s “Surprise and shine” live event is happening today from Cupertino

• 📱 We expect plenty of announcements during the keynote, including the foldable iPhone Duo

• ⌚️ The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will also likely debut, along with new Apple Watches and AirPods

• ⏰ Things kick off at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT

• 🚨 Follow along to our live blog for constant updates!

Today’s the big day: the iPhone Duo is almost here. After plenty of leaks and rumors over the past year, Apple’s “Surprise and shine” event is expected to be where we see the company’s first-ever foldable phone. It’s also the first event ever under new CEO John Ternus, who shared a brief teaser on X hinting at… something.

The company is also expected to announce the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max at the event, complete with bigger batteries and a variable aperture for the camera system. In addition, the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 could also be revealed, according to rumors.

The Shortcut team has reported to their respective positions and are locked and loaded with coffee, snacks, and furious typing capabilities to power our live blog. Stay on this page and refresh starting at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT for live updates from Apple’s big event as they come in!

Watch Apple’s “Surprise and shine” event

Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.

• 🚨 We live blogged all the news from today’s Nintendo Direct

• 👉 Subscribe to The Shortcut for the latest Switch 2 and tech news

• 👀 The show focused on Switch 2 games and lasted 45 minutes

• 👇 You can find all the trailers and announcements below

Walmart: Zelda Switch 2 console

Best Buy: Zelda Switch 2 console

GameStop: Zelda Switch 2 console

10:56 AM: You’ll find trailers below for all the biggest Nintendo Direct announcements, which I think deserved a C grade. Thankfully, we’re all still riding off the high of Ocarina of Time, so Nintendo didn’t have to bring out the big guns. Still, there’s plenty to play on Switch 2 for the rest of the year and lots of titles coming early next.

10:49 AM: And just like that, the show’s over, folks! Thanks for tuning in, and I apologise for any typos in advance. What did you think of the Direct? Let me know in the poll below and don’t forget to subscribe to The Shortcut? Oh, and don’t forget there’s a Nintendo Treehouse Live now if you want to see some more gameplay from some of the games announced.

10:47 AM: Okay, time for some Kirby. Is this a sequel to Forgotten Land or something entirely new? Fun fact: when I worked at Nintendo, I helped market not one, not two, but four Kirby games. I love that little pink puffball. Anyway, Kirby’s next game is called Kirby and the World Beyond. It’s a Switch 2 exclusive, and it’s coming Spring 2027. You’ll be able to freely explore a 3D world using Kirby’s copy abilities. Oh, and it’s Kirby’s 35th anniversary next year.

10:43 AM: Persona 4 Revival is out May 20, 2027, and P6 is also coming to Nintendo Switch 2!

10:42 AM: Some release dates for you now. Yu-Gi-Oh Tag Force GX is out February 16, 2026. A remake of Romancing Saga 3: Destinies United is also out February 16. Far Cry 3: Classic Edition is out Spring 2027, along with Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon. The Crew Motorfest is coming October 8, 2026, and The Apothecary Diaries is out early 2027. House Flipper 2 is out October 15, 2026. Sonic Pico Park is available November 12, 2026. And Dragon Quest Monsters: Withered World is out December 13. Torneko’s Mystery Dungeon is out today. Hela is out December 1, 2026. Eriksholm is out December 3, 2026. Stellar Blade Complete Edition is coming November 5, 2026, and The Ascent Ultimate Edition is out in December. It Takes Two is coming October 15, 2026. Palia Nintendo Switch 2 Edition it out in December. Bluey’s Happy Snap is out October 15, 2026. Hot Wheels Infinite Rush is out September 10, 2026. Fading Echo is September 17, 2026. Hell is Us is out October 8, 2026. Guardians of the Galaxy is coming November 5, 2026. PHEW!

10:36 AM: Oh, this is one for me. Metal Slug Collection is coming to Switch 2 and Switch and contains 10 Metal Slug games. There’s online co-op, a gallery mode, and more. It’s out 2027.

10:36 AM: Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is coming to Switch 2 October 22, 2026.

10:34 AM: Danganronpa 2x2 includes the original story and a Slayhem mode, which includes new victims and culprits. You can also debate other students to crack the case. It’s out January 14, 2027, for Switch 2 and Switch.

10:33 AM: A new turn-based RPG, Eternal Anima, launches on Switch 2 March 4, 2027.

10:33 AM: Mega Man Dual Override is up next. It’s out in Spring 2027, and we’ll be getting amiibo figures of the Blue Bomber and Proto Man.

10:31 AM: A free update for Mario Kart World is coming. You’ll be able to play the classic races in VS mode, 10 courses in total from the SNES game. Two new routes are also coming to Knockout Tour. The free update launches later today.

10:28 AM: You’ve got to hand it to Nintendo. Metroid doesn’t sell well, and yet they keep delivering excellent games for fans to enjoy. After Metroid Prime 4, which I really enjoyed, we’re getting Metroid Ravenous. Those who prefer the classic side-scrolling Metroid games will be very happy. It’s out January 28, 2027. There will be two amiibo figures released alongside the game.

10:28 AM: Another look at Nintendo Switch Sports Resort now and its many activities. A new Island Crown mode lets you square off against island champions offline. You can increase your rank with each win and unlock customizations for your MIi character or Sports Mii. It’s out October 22, 2026.

10:25 AM: The next Tomb Raider is coming to Switch 2. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a remake of the first title. It’s out February 12, 2027.

10:25 AM: Capcom loves the Switch 2. It’s bringing Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition to Nintendo’s console. All three games are out on October 16, 2026, as digital versions. Nice!

10:23 AM: Cairn is coming to Switch 2, where you climb a mountain and conquer the summit. It’s out early 2027, and a free demo is available later today from the eShop.

10:22 AM: New Kirby amiibo are out November 12, and thus, this completes the Kirby Air Riders amiibo collection. How many have you got?

10:19 AM: A montage of animated games now. Disney Dreamlight Valley is getting a new paid expansion, Keepsake Sea, this November. Ondeh Ondeh Kaya’s Tasty Tale is a quirky coming-of-age story and is out next year. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is out September 18, 2026.

10:19 AM: From the team behind Overcooked!, Stage Fright launches on Switch 2 and Switch next year.

10:18 AM: Onyx: The Dark Grip is out next year and is a Switch 2 exclusive. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is out soon. There’s a new mode where you gain new abilities, similar to a roguelite survival mode. There’s a new hero called Shimmer who has an ability that lets her see the future. The upgrade is out December 3, 2026.

10:16 AM: A new Yokai Watch game is in development, but perhaps bigger news is Nintendo is finally giving us a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Pikmin 4! You can give voice commands using the built-in mic and praise Oatchi the dog. Dandori Academy is a new mode that challenges you to collect treasure as quickly as you can. There are three difficulty levels to master. 72 stages will be released over time. The Switch 2 Edition is out November 12, 2026. No word on whether it runs at 60fps, or what resolution.

10:12 AM: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is out September 17, 2026. And now we’re seeing Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. It’s out December 10, 2026. I’ve never played a Professor Layton game, come to think of it.

10:09 AM: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered launches on September 29, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: Royal Edition is also on the way. It’s out next year.

10:08 AM: Star Fox is getting a free update that includes four-player local battle mode, and three new stages. Four players can also go online on a single Switch 2. It’s out September 29, 2026. Oh, and Star Fox Adventures is coming to Nintendo GameCube for Switch Online subscribers! And it’s out later today!

10:06 AM: Part two of the Pokémon Pokopia DLC is all about accessories. You can meet new Pokémon too. The Expansion Pass is available now, part 2 is out later this year.

10:06 AM: The viral hit game Meccha Chameleon is coming to Switch 2. In fact, it’s out later today.

10:04 AM: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is getting a Switch 2 upgrade. There are new difficulty modes, local play, and those who have the Switch version will get a discount. It’s out February 25, 2027.

10:02 AM: Koizumi is in the house. We’re looking at Switch 2 games, some of which may also be on Switch. Final Fantasy VII Revelation is up next. We already knew about this one, and it’s releasing on the same time as the other platforms. It’s out April 8, 2027. Oh, and Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion is launching on the eShop later today!

10:00 AM: The Nintendo Direct kicks off with a look at… Monster Hunter Wilds for Switch 2! Remember when I said there would be some ambitious ports? Well, this is certainly one of them. Capcom has a fantastic record of bringing its current-gen games to Switch 2, so I’m expecting another solid port. The Switch 2 version supports local play, which is nice, and includes all the title updates released so far. It’s out December 4, 2026. The expansion Ascendance is also coming.

9:55 AM: Tick-tock! There’s less than five minutes left on the clock. Are you ready? I’m ready.

9:52 AM: Apparently some other big tech event is happening today? Something iPhone related? We’ll also be bringing you the latest Apple news on The Shortcut, so check back at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST for all the reveals from Cupertino, California (that’s where Apple is based, FYI).

9:47 AM: With around 15 minutes to go, there’s already over 100,000 people ready and waiting, and plenty of you are keeping tabs on the upcoming Nintendo Direct announcements on our live blog. As always, I’ll bring you the news as quickly as my fingers can type, and include screenshots, trailers, and the info you need. Remember to refresh the page regularly as things get going to receive new updates.

9:36 AM: As is customary, here is your 30-minute warning before the Direct begins. Remember, the show begins at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm BST / 4pm CEST. It’s set to last around 45 minutes, so grab a drink, your favorite snack, and use the bathroom beforehand.

9:32 AM: Trying to pre-order the Zelda Switch 2 and Switch 2 Pro Controller? I’ve got you covered. Not every retailer has stock in just yet, but these are the pages you’ll need when the time comes. My advice? Pre-order now, or risk buyer’s regret.

Switch 2 Zelda console

• Walmart: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

• Best Buy: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

• GameStop: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

• Nintendo Store: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

Zelda Switch 2 Pro Controller

• Walmart: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

• Best Buy: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

• GameStop: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

• Nintendo Store: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

8:45 AM: If, and it’s a big if, Nintendo were to reveal a new 3D Mario today, I think it might be the greatest one-two punch in gaming history. While I highly doubt the next flagship Mario title will be out this year – Ocarina of Time is obviously Nintendo’s holiday game for 2026 – an early 2027 release would certainly help shift more consoles during the busy shopping periods.

7:57 AM: Has anyone calmed down after seeing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake reveal? I don’t think I have. It looks unbelievable, and that excitement has translated into loads of pre-orders for the limited-edition hardware. Personally, I think I’ll try to grab The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

Okay, let’s watch the trailer again. And then one more time after that.

Good morning, Nintendo fans!

7:43 AM: Another day, another Nintendo Direct! Following yesterday’s fascinating Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary Direct, today’s broadcast will highlight other games coming to Switch 2 this winter that aren’t Zelda-related.

A Nintendo Treehouse Live event will also begin after the Direct has concluded, showing us some hands-on gameplay of some of the titles revealed.

Expect to see Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave and ambitious third-party ports take center stage. It’s likely that a few surprises will also be in store, which may include the long-rumoured next 3D Mario game.

I’ll be covering every announcement here on The Shortcut, so make sure you refresh the page regularly to get new updates. Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe and help support our work, which is written by humans and completely ad-free!

Up next: Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary limited edition: release date, price, and pre-order

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 💰 You can pre-order the Zelda 40th anniversary Switch 2 and Pro Controller now

• 👉 Walmart, Best Buy, GameStop, and the Nintendo Store are your best bets

• 💨 The limited-edition hardware is already proving popular, so don’t hang around

• 📅 The Switch 2 and Pro Controller release on October 29, 2026

Walmart: Zelda Switch 2 console

Best Buy: Zelda Switch 2 console

GameStop: Zelda Switch 2 console

The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 edition and the Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller are being snapped up fast, as pre-orders are now live. But where can you buy it from?

Not every retailer went live with pre-orders as quickly as others, with Best Buy and the Nintendo Store being the first to stock the limited-edition hardware. However, other stores have caught up, which should make it easier to secure your Zelda 40th anniversary edition pre-order.

You’ll find all the links you need below from the most popular retailers. Be sure to check back regularly, as it’s likely that stock which may have sold out will receive a new supply later.

The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2

The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition is a desirable bundle, and the first limited edition Nintendo has released for its new system. It costs $519.99, which is slightly more than the new retail price of $499.99.

It’s important to note that a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time isn’t included, as the console releases on October 29, 2026, while the game arrives on November 5, 2026.

• Walmart: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

• Best Buy: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

• GameStop: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

• Nintendo Store: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

If you already own a Switch 2, The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is a great way to celebrate the series’ milestone, and it looks wonderful. It costs $99.99 – $10 more than the standard version – here’s where you can get it:

• Walmart: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

• Best Buy: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

• GameStop: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

• Nintendo Store: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

Up next: GTA 6 PS5 controller: pre-order date, price and release date

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🍎 Apple’s first folding phone is reportedly called “iPhone Duo”

• 👀 The brand was revealed in a last-minute report from Bloomberg

• 💰 The report also mentions that it’ll cost $2,000 and go up to $3,000 for 2TB of storage

• ✍️ It’ll also support the Apple Pencil

• 🎨 The iPhone Duo is expected to come in dark blue and silver colors

• 📆 It’ll ship in early October

The day has come when Apple is expected to announce its first folding phone, yet we’re still getting all kinds of leaks ahead of the “Surprise and shine” event. Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has shared a last-minute report in which he claims to reveal the real name of the iPhone Fold - and it’s iPhone Duo.

• More: Apple iPhone Duo event live blog: follow for everything announced

There were some estranged leaks floating around claiming that “iPhone Duo” would be the name after all, but with so many people referring to it as “iPhone Ultra” or “iPhone Fold” (like ourselves), it was hard to say how much credibility those leaks had. As it turns out, it seems like a lot.

The iPhone Duo adopts a name that’s been used in tech products before, most notably on Microsoft’s dual-screen Surface Duo smartphone that shipped many years ago. Google also had a video calling app named Google Duo. This will be the first time Apple adopts the name for one of its products, and it seems fitting given that the form factor enables a sort of dual-phone experience.

📱 More last-minute iPhone Duo rumors and leaks

Gurman also shared a few extra details surrounding the iPhone Duo in his report, including one shocking revelation.

✍️ It supports the Apple Pencil. I’m not sure anyone assumed this was coming, but Apple’s iPhone Duo will apparently support the Apple Pencil. It’s not clear if it’ll support the stylus on both the cover and folding screens, or if there will even be a place to store the Pencil when you aren’t using it on the device. It’s designed to be used on full-fledged iPads, and it doesn’t sound like Apple has a special version of the stylus ready for the Duo. I’ll be curious how compatibility shakes out.

💰 It’ll cost $2,000-$3,000. Gurman expects the phone to cost $2,000 at first for 256GB of storage. Depending on which storage tier you go with, it could reach as high as $3,000 for 2TB. There’s no doubt about it: this is gonna be one of the most expensive phones on the market by a long shot.

⚙️ The leaked specs were right. Gurman reiterates many of the leaked specs we’ve seen as if they’re fact in his report, which indicates that leakers got a lot right this cycle. The iPhone Duo is expected to come with an A20 Pro chip (the same chip we expect to see in the iPhone 18 Pro), as well as the new C2 modem for wireless connectivity. There will be two 48MP cameras on the back (one regular, one ultra-wide), as well as a couple of 12MP selfie cameras.

🎨 Two colors. The report says that the iPhone Duo will ship in two colors: dark blue and silver. We’ve been hearing this rumor a lot lately, so it seems like a certainty at this point that black won’t be offered after all.

🎃 Launching in October. In addition, Gurman says the iPhone Duo will launch in early October. That’s a bit later than when we were expecting, since we anticipate the iPhone 18 Pro will come out in the next couple of weeks following the event.

The Shortcut is following today’s Apple event very closely, and we’ll be covering everything the company announces in our live blog. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of our coverage!

• Up next: Weird iPhone Air 2 rumor says it’ll replace standard iPhone 18 next year

Subscribe now

Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.

• 📱 Apple might replace the iPhone 18 with the upcoming iPhone Air 2

• 📆 The phones have been widely rumored to ship together next spring

• 🍎 However, Apple is said to be considering retiring its old iPhone design entirely

• ⬆️ The new iPhone Air 2 could have enough upgrades to justify the change

• 🌸 Apple is rumored to release the regular iPhone 18 in spring 2027

While tomorrow’s Apple event will showcase the iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro, many are still waiting for the new baseline iPhone 18 to upgrade to. We expect that phone to arrive next spring, according to the latest rumors, but it sounds like it could look a lot more different than we were anticipating.

• More: iPhone 18 Pro colors leak: Cosmic Orange is out, subtler tones are in

The iPhone Air 2, Apple’s upcoming sequel to its thinnest phone to date, could replace the regular iPhone 18 entirely. Previous rumors suggested that the two phones would ship together in the spring of 2027, but a new leak suggests that Apple could retire its current base iPhone model for one that’s much snazzier to look at.

Early Apple Leaks on X shared the speculative detail, saying that the company is considering the shift internally. If it happens, the iPhone Air 2 would simply become the iPhone 18, while the presumably existing iPhone 18 would fade away. Apple’s iPhone 17 is a lot thicker and less elegant than the iPhone Air, so Apple could be making the change to usher in a new era of prettier designs for the company’s products.

That could also lead to a price hike. Early Apple says that the iPhone 18 would cost the same as the current iPhone Air at $999, which is $200 more than what the iPhone 17 costs. Given that Apple is expected to increase prices for its Pro models this year, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the iPhone 18 also cost more, whether it gets a new design or not.

The iPhone Air 2, for all intents and purposes, is expected to close the gap between it and the rumored iPhone 18. It’s rumored to ship with a second ultra-wide camera on the back, as well as a bigger battery for better endurance. It’ll also come with a new chip, although it’s unclear if it’ll be the rumored A20 or A20 Pro. Nevertheless, it’ll feel less like a differentiated, special edition iPhone than the Air does by a good amount with these changes, which could make this rumored change make a lot of sense.

This leak is a bit sketchy, however. Early Apple doesn’t have an incredible track record when it comes to Apple leaks, and every rumor we’ve heard thus far suggests the iPhone 18 and Air 2 are two separate products that’ll arrive next year. We’ll be following this rumor closely over the next few months to see whether there’s any validity to it, so stay tuned.

• Up next: Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary limited edition: release date, price, and pre-order

Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.

• 👀 Nintendo is selling a limited edition Nintendo Switch 2

• ⚔️ It celebrates the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series

• 📅 It’s available on October 29, 2026

• 🚨 You’ll have to purchase The Ocarina of Time remake separately

Nintendo has revealed a gorgeous Nintendo Switch 2 Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary limited edition, which releases just under a month before The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.

• Walmart: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

• Best Buy: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

• GameStop: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

• Nintendo Store: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 ($519.99)

The console features charming details throughout, including 8-Bit versions of Link and Princess Zelda, along with the iconic Triforce.

The Joy-Con 2 controllers come in a striking royal emerald color and are unlikely to be sold separately. The Switch 2 Dock is also getting a makeover to match the limited edition console, and features a Triforce, gold accents, and a unique base.

We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2 Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition below, including the release date, pre-order date, and price.

Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition release date

We know that the Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition release date takes place on October 29, 2026. That’s just under a month before The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake releases, as the game is out on November 5, 2026.

Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda anniversary edition pre-order date

During The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary Direct, Nintendo didn’t share a pre-order date for the console – though with a release date of October, we didn’t have long to wait. It’s available from Best Buy and the Nintendo Store.

Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition price

The Nintendo Switch 2 price increased on September 1, 2026, from $449.99 to $499.99. And as expected, Nintendo is charging slightly more for this limited edition at $519.99. The console doesn’t come with a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.

Up next: Nintendo Music game list: every soundtrack available

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

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The dawn of a new day at Apple is upon us. New CEO John Ternus is set to take the stage tomorrow in Cupertino, California (exactly 24 hours from now) to unveil Apple’s newest iPhones. It’s set to be one of the most (if not the most) radically different iPhone lineups in the company’s history, all thanks to one specific device: the iPhone Fold.

We know a lot about the iPhone Fold – except we don’t know what it’ll be called. We’ve referred to it as the iPhone Fold in all of our coverage on The Shortcut, but we’ve also heard it could be called the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Duo. Whatever the case, Apple is going to send shockwaves through the industry by finally entering the foldable phone market, nearly a decade after Samsung introduced the first Galaxy Fold.

But that’s not all. Apple has two other iPhones to talk about as well, in addition to new Apple Watches and AirPods. It’s going to be the biggest Apple event of the year, and after tracking all of the leaks and rumors over the past year, we can guess how the show’s gonna go.

Here’s your preview of the iPhone Fold, along with everything else we expect to see tomorrow at Apple Park.

The biggest tip-off we have about new iPhone designs every year always comes from cases. Check out some new accessories from our Substack sponsor, dbrand.

Protect your iPhone Fold with dbrand

The iPhone Fold is expected to cost $2,000 or more, and because it can physically bend in half, it’ll probably be more delicate than a regular iPhone. If you plan to pick one up and want to protect your investment.

Grip case

One of our favorite accessories from dbrand is the Grip case, and we were super excited when we found out that it was coming to the iPhone Fold.

The Grip case comes with military-grade drop protection, dbrand’s signature grippy texture on the outside, and a snug-fitting design that wraps everything from the hinge to the camera bump. It’s also just 2mm thick, so your foldable iPhone won’t feel unwieldy. Plus, there are built-in magnets for MagSafe compatibility, and you can cover the case in any of dbrand’s skin options for a personal touch.

It’s priced at $59.90, and you can pick it up starting today.

dbrand: Grip case for iPhone Fold

PRISM 2.0 screen protector

dbrand is also offering its PRISM 2.0 screen protector for the foldable iPhone. It uses premium tempered glass to protect the device’s cover display from accidental damage, such as cracks and scratches.

It offers a precise fit so that the earpiece isn’t covered and your case still fits, while its statically-charged peel layer repels dust when you install it. Speaking of which, PRISM 2.0 also includes a special installation kit that makes applying the screen protector on your iPhone Fold a breeze. The best part? You get two in the box in case you screw it up the first time.

You can pick it up starting today for $34.95.

dbrand: PRISM 2.0 for iPhone Fold

iPhone 18 Pro gets some dbrand love, too

Planning on an upgrade to the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max instead? dbrand has some fresh accessories for those devices, too.

🦾 Three new cases. dbrand is bringing its Grip, Ghost, and Tank cases to the iPhone 18 Pro series, giving you plenty of options for all-around protection and style. The Grip case is as grippy and durable as ever, adding the same great protection as it does for the foldable iPhone to your new 18 Pro. Meanwhile, the Ghost case adds drop protection with a slim, clear design that lets the color of your iPhone shine through. Tank is the one to get if you want the boldest, baddest-looking case on the market, with extreme drop protection and a design that only dbrand could conjure.

• iPhone 18 Pro

  • Grip case: $59.90

  • Ghost case: $59.95

  • Tank case: $59.95

• iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • Grip case: $59.90

  • Ghost case: $59.95

  • Tank case: $59.95

📲 PRISM 2.0. You can also pick up a PRISM 2.0 screen protector for your iPhone 18 Pro. It comes with all the same advantages as it does for the foldable iPhone, with premium tempered glass and advanced scratch resistance. There’s two in the pack with a special tray to make it easy to install, and it’s precisely cut to perfectly fit on your Pro or Pro Max.

• iPhone 18 Pro

  • PRISM 2.0: $34.95

• iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • PRISM 2.0: $34.95

🍎 The first foldable iPhone is almost here

🛂A passport to a new future. Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to be the flashiest announcement at tomorrow’s event, and for good reason. It’s going to shake up Apple’s smartphone line with a design that’s a phone at first, then unfolds to a tablet. Rumors suggest it’ll almost resemble a passport-like shape, similar to the popular Galaxy Z Fold 8 from Samsung. The 5.5-inch cover screen will be short and wide, while the folding 7.8-inch display will give you an experience comparable to using an iPad mini. Plus, the crease will barely be there thanks to a new “Liquidmetal” hinge, which will make it feel even more like an iPad when it’s open.

👑 Content consumption will be king. This type of form factor will be great for watching movies, scrolling on Instagram and TikTok, and reading e-books. While other foldable phones typically go for taller designs to make it feel more like a normal phone when it’s closed, Apple wants to go in the opposite direction and make it feel closer to a tablet when it’s open. As we learned from the Z Fold 8, this works out great when you want to watch content compared to candy bar phones.

💪 Minimal design, maximum performance. The iPhone Fold could be just 4.5mm thick when open, which would make it even thinner than last year’s 5.6mm iPhone Air. Despite that, Apple will still pack in a ton of power. Reports indicate that the device will ship with two rear cameras (one main, one ultra-wide), two selfie cameras (one on the cover screen, one on the folding screen), and stereo speakers. It’s expected to integrate MagSafe wireless charging and come with a ~4,800mAh battery, which is quite impressive for such a skinny device. What’s more, the rumored A20 Pro chip is said to be included, the same chip we expect to see in the iPhone 18 Pro.

🎨 Two distinct colors. Apple will only paint the iPhone Fold in two colors. The rumors we’ve seen suggest it’ll come in silver/white and a dark blue finish, while other reports say the dark blue could be replaced with Space Gray/Black. Either way, it doesn’t sound like you’ll be able to get it in gold, red, or the bold Cosmic Orange from last year.

💰 A very high price with limited availability. The biggest hurdle early adopters will have to getting the iPhone Fold is two-pronged: pricing and availability. The device is widely expected to cost upwards of $2,000 to start. That could get easier to digest if you trade in the right phone and finance it, but that’s still a hefty lump of cash for a first-generation product. Meanwhile, Apple is said to be producing a few hundred iPhone Folds per day, which could greatly impact your chances of getting one before they’re sold out. We expect production to eventually ramp up, but not at first.

Everything else we’re expecting at “Surprise and shine”

📱 iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

Apple’s iPhone Pro lineup will be shaken up by two new models tomorrow: the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Both devices are expected to look like last year’s, with similar two-tone designs and large camera bumps. Speaking of which, the camera system will also stay the same, save for one major change: a variable aperture, which can help with lighting control for your photos. Bigger batteries, the A20 Pro chip, and new colors are expected to round things out.

📆 No iPhone 18 until next year. One thing of note: we don’t expect to see the base iPhone 18 at tomorrow’s event. Apple is widely rumored to be pushing its release back to spring of 2027 to make room for the iPhone Fold during the event. Spring is also when we expect the new iPhone Air 2 to come out, along with the mid-range iPhone 18e.

⌚️ Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4

New Apple Watches are also rumored to be showcased. While we aren’t getting any redesigns this year, rumor has it the new Series 12 and Ultra 4 watches will get better heart rate sensing, more intricate strength training tracking, and better performance with a new chip. The Series 12 could also come in a new ceramic model, calling back to the days of the Apple Watch Edition.

🎧 AirPods 5

Apple is also rumored to introduce new AirPods. The new AirPods 5 will be similar to the AirPods 4 but with better sound quality and noise cancellation, according to rumors. Two models are expected to be sold: one with ANC and one without. Those waiting for the AirPods Pro 4 will have to wait until next year, as the latest leaks say Apple is delaying them until 2027.

🤔 One more thing?

Since this is the first Apple event under John Ternus, many are speculating that a major surprise could be in the cards as part of the company’s famous “One more thing” segment. Of course, this year’s “One more thing” could just be the iPhone Fold, but with rumors of new smart home devices and smart glasses floating around, there’s always a chance that we get something completely unexpected.

Apple’s “Surprise and shine” event kicks off tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. The Shortcut will be covering everything from the keynote, so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss anything.

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• 🎮 Nintendo is releasing a Zelda 40th anniversary Switch 2 Pro Controller

• 💰 It’ll likely cost $99.99, the same as other limited editions

• 📅 It’s out on October 29, 2026, the same day as the Switch 2 Zelda console

• 🔜 Pre-orders are likely to open soon, so sign up for an alert

BB: Zelda Switch 2 Pro Controller

BB: Zelda Switch 2 Pro Controller

Get the game on Amazon

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series, Nintendo is releasing a special limited edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

• Walmart: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

• Best Buy: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

• GameStop: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

• Nintendo Store: The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99)

The Switch 2 Pro Controller follows the gold and royal emerald color scheme of the Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition, and also includes an 8-Bit Link on the back.

Aside from the gorgeous design, this is the same excellent Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller we’re used to, and the easiest way to enjoy playing the best Switch 2 games in TV mode.

Here’s everything you need to know about The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, including the release date, expected pre-order date, and likely price.

The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller release date

You can get your hands on The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller on October 29, 2026. That’s just under a month before The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake releases on November 5.

If you want the stand, you’ll have to purchase the controller from the Nintendo Store, or in-person from the New York and San Francisco stores, as it’s an exclusive.

The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller price

Nintendo didn’t reveal the price of The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller but we could make a pretty accurate guess. The standard Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller costs $89.99, and the only limited edition Pro Controller to release so far was the Resident Evil Requiem Switch 2 Pro Controller, which cost $99.99. Therefore, as predicted, The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller also costs $99.99.

The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller pre-order date

The Zelda Switch 2 Pro Controller is available to pre-order now from Best Buy and the Nintendo Store if you want the accompanying stand.

Up next: GTA 6 PS5 controller: pre-order date, price and release date

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🚨 We’re live blogging all the news from Nintendo’s Zelda 40th anniversary Direct

• 🔄️ Refresh the page to get the latest updates

• 👉 Subscribe to The Shortcut for the latest Switch 2 and tech news

• ⚔️ The Zelda Direct is likely to showcase the upcoming Zelda movie and Ocarina of Time remake

• 👀 Another Nintendo Direct takes place tomorrow that focuses on Switch 2 releases this winter

Walmart: Switch 2

10:34 AM: Wow, it’s shaping up to be great isn’t it. Nintendo is ending the show with a new trailer for The Ocarina of Time. I don’t know about you, but this is going to sell gangbusters. Watch out, GTA 6!

And that concludes The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary Direct. What did you think? Let me know in the poll below. And don’t forget, I’ll be back to do it all again tomorrow as there’s another Nintendo Direct. Pinch me, I must be dreaming.

10:30 AM: And yep, we’re getting a limited-edition Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, and carrying case. It’s out October 29, 2026. Remember, the game isn’t included.

10:29 AM: Two new amiibo are coming: Young Link and Young Zelda, which unlock the original N64 faces to wear as masks.

10:28 AM: A look at the Zelda Notes app, which was introduced for the Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Editions. You can use it to find certain locations and earn points to unlock music scores. Basically, Nintendo wants everyone to become a master of the ocarina. There are also questions to complete, 2,000 of them to be exact. You can earn Rupees by completing them.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake release date

10:24 AM: Oh, another big change. Characters are fully voiced during certain conversations. And the release date! It’s out November 5, 2026. That’s a few weeks before that other game that’s also releasing in November…

10:22 AM: There’s a lot of new areas, back alleys, and even a dynamic weather system when you’re in the town, which didn’t happen in the original. Link’s testing out the Ocarina now, which is the most important item in the game. He played the Sun song, which turned night into day. Oh, that’s fun. You can use the Switch 2 mic to hum the songs Link has learnt and he’ll play them. Nintendo is also selling an ocarina replica, which the game will respond to! Neat.

10:20 AM: Nintendo says it kept loading screens between areas to keep the feel of the original game. And then shows off Hyrule Field, which is simply stunning. A new feature called ‘Threads of Time’ lets you see your progress you’ve made in the story and what your next objective is. A large tapestry will eventually be filled in as you go. A look at Hyrule Castle Town now. It’s a bustling area now, and no longer has a fixed camera.

10:16 AM: Navi, the fairy who provides tips and hints, will still give you advice when you need it. Hopefully, she’ll be less intrusive this time around. After advancing through the Deku Tree, Link opens and treasure chest and gets the Slingshot. You can aim the Slingshot using motion controls.

10:14 AM: A look inside the store, as Link buys some Deku Nuts. We’re running towards the Great Deku tree now, and wow. For someone who grew up playing Ocarina of Time, the visuals are astonishing for a console that is also a handheld.

10:13 AM: Okay, we’re getting a look at the Ocarina of Time remake now. Don’t panic. Eiji Aonuma is playing the game now. The visuals look insane. Nintendo has aimed for a mix of realism and how the original game looked. The comments section on YouTube seems to be impressed. New dialogue has been added, and Link can now jump at the press of a button, which is a big change. You also have a completely free camera, and Link can swim and dive.

10:08 AM: The legendary Koji Kondo is up next, and he’s chatting about the game’s music. I don’t think he’s ever composed a bad track. A series of concerts will take place for the 40th anniversary, featuring a variety of music. They’re taking place across Japan, then North America in February, Europe in April, and Australia in May.

10:07 AM: Nintendo is bringing the Zelda celebrations to its Nintendo Musuem. A Link & Epona LEGO set, amiibo, art book, and more are also on the way.

10:07 AM: The Zelda celebrations will begin this year and run into the next. We’re now getting a look at The Legend of Zelda movie, which is out in theatres April 30, 2027. The title is… The Legend of Zelda. There’s no subtitle, which Miyamoto said will make sense after we see the film. More details will arrive later, which is a suprise.

10:04 AM: Does The Legend of Zelda series have the best Nintendo soundtrack? Possibly. Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto is here, talking about the 40th anniversary. The first Zelda game was created in 1986! I was born a year later. Yes, I’m old!

10:01 AM: A montage of Zelda games is playing in the background. There’s Ocarina of Time, a Link to the Past, Echoes of Wisdom, and Breath of the Wild to name but a few.

10:00 AM: Over 400,000 people are locked in, and there’s quite a few of you keeping up with this live blog. Here we go! The show begins with a live orchestral performance of the classic Zelda theme.

9:57 AM: Probably the last game to get another push before the Zelda Direct is Star Fox. I’m ashamed to say I still haven’t picked this up, despite being a huge fan of the original. I’ve played the demo, at least, and really liked what I saw. Oh, wait, Nintendo is also highlighting its Pictonico mobile app, which turns your photos into WarioWare-style minigames, and the Nintendo Today! app.

9:55 AM: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is up next, and it’s quite an impressive upgrade. The game was super blurry in handheld mode on the Switch and wasn’t much clearer when docked. It definitely benefits from a resolution and frame rate bump on Switch 2.

9:53 AM: Nintendo advertising Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Splatoon Raiders now. Splatoon Raiders appears to be extremely popular with players, though it’s unclear how well it’s sold. I’m sure it’ll have performed well in Japan, where Splatoon, Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3 were all hugely successful.

9:51 AM: With less than 10 minutes to go, there’s already over 150,000 people watching the stream on YouTube. Nintendo scared everyone by playing an ad for Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, which is out in September, and the Virtual Boy. I still can’t believe they brought back the Virtual Boy.

9:43 AM: It’s almost time for The Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary Nintendo Direct! I’m trying to keep my expectations in check, but I can’t help but be excited for the Ocarina of Time remake. It’s such a timeless, generational masterpiece that so many players remember, and I’m confident Nintendo will give it the love, care, and attention it deserves.

I’m less optimistic about the Zelda movie, admittedly. Even though video game adaptations have gotten significantly better over the years, I can’t imagine it’ll achieve even half the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, but I could be wrong.

7:35 AM: If you’d like to tune in and watch all the Zelda-themed goodness happen live, the show begins at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm BST / 4pm CEST. It’s set to last 30 minutes, which is plenty of time for Nintendo to hit us with a slew of Zelda announcements, including a look at the highly anticipated Ocarina of Time remake.

Hey, listen!

5:34 AM: Good morning, Zelda fans! Who’s ready to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises? Today, Nintendo is hosting a special Direct dedicated to our hero Link and his beloved princess Zelda, and we should be in for a treat.

We’re expecting to get our first proper look at the live-action Legend of Zelda movie, which arrives in cinemas on April 30, 2027. Nintendo will also show The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake in more detail, which will rival GTA 6 as one of the biggest game releases of the year.

Expect other Zelda-themed tie-ins and promotions during the 30-minute broadcast, including a limited-edition Switch 2 console bundle, and maybe even some more game reveals. Twilight Princess HD and The Wind Waker HD on Switch 2 would be nice, Nintendo.

I’ll be covering all the announcements as they happen right here on The Shortcut, so make sure you refresh the page regularly to get new updates. Don’t forget to subscribe and help support our work, which is written by humans and completely ad-free!

Up next: Nintendo Music game list: every soundtrack available

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.