Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the unveiling of the iPhone Duo. This is its first iPhone built around a folding display.
According to Apple, the new device starts at $1,999. It features a 5.4-inch outer screen that unfolds into a 7.6-inch inner display. As a result, users get the largest screen ever offered on an iPhone.
The launch marks one of Apple’s biggest changes to the iPhone design in years. It also comes as the company moves to challenge established foldable-phone makers including Samsung and Huawei.
“iPhone Duo is the most transformational change to iPhone since the original,” Apple CEO John Ternus said.
Duo combines phone, tablet experience
When closed, the iPhone Duo is designed to function like a conventional smartphone. On the other hand, opening it provides a larger screen for watching content, gaming and working across multiple applications.
Apple said both displays support ProMotion, Always-On functionality and peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits.
The company has also redesigned iOS 27 to take advantage of the foldable screen. This redesign allows users to multitask across apps and change how content appears depending on the position of the device.
Apple Pencil support is also expected later this year.
A20 Pro powers Apple’s first foldable
The iPhone Duo runs on Apple’s new A20 Pro chip. It also features a dual-battery architecture alongside a custom vapour chamber for thermal management.
Apple has equipped the phone with two 48-megapixel rear cameras. In addition, its foldable design allows users to preview photographs on the outer screen when using the main cameras for selfies.
The phone also introduces photography features specifically designed for its dual displays.
Apple said the device is built with a titanium frame and precision hinge. Meanwhile, the inner screen uses a nano-texture finish intended to reduce glare and make the fold crease less visible.
Pre-orders begin in October
The iPhone Duo will be offered in star white and night sky, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB.
Pre-orders will open on October 16. The device will become available in more than 70 countries and regions from October 23.
The $1,999 starting price makes the Duo Apple’s most expensive iPhone at launch.
Its arrival comes seven years after Samsung introduced its first Galaxy Fold. This brings Apple into a segment it had previously stayed away from despite the growing number of foldable devices on the market.
