CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, marking its entry into the foldable smartphone market. Starting at $1,999 in the U.S., the device features a 7.6-inch inner display that unfolds from a closed form. When folded, it utilizes a 5.4-inch outer screen for typical phone functions. Preorders will open on Oct. 16, with retail launches scheduled for Oct. 23. This release introduces a new iPhone design category, complementing Apple’s existing smartphone lineup.
Both sides of the iPhone Duo boast Super Retina XDR screens with ProMotion and Always-On capabilities. Apple claims a peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits for each display. The inner panel’s nano-texture finish helps minimize glare and makes the fold crease less conspicuous, according to Apple. The device’s enclosure is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, and its precision hinge incorporates over 100 components. Additionally, Apple certifies the iPhone Duo with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
The new iOS 27.1 software is designed to operate seamlessly whether the phone is open or folded. It introduces Split View, allowing users to run two apps side by side—a first for the iPhone. Users can also open dual windows of the same app and save app pairs for quick access later. The inner display can show two Home Screen pages and a vertically scrolling Today View. Touch ID is embedded in the side button, functioning in both open and folded states.
Foldable hardware paired with an upgraded iOS experience
Photography features include a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera and a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide camera. The main camera offers an optical-quality 2x telephoto option as well. The Duo Preview function displays a live camera feed on the outer screen during photo capture. Selfies can be taken with the rear cameras while viewing oneself on the outer display. The main camera supports 4K video recording at up to 120 frames per second in Dolby Vision.
Powering the iPhone Duo is Apple’s A20 Pro chip, built using 2-nanometer process technology. It includes a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU, and dual 16-core Neural Engines. The device is cooled with a vapor chamber and features batteries on both sides. Apple rates the device for up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner screen, while the outer display offers up to 44 hours. Mixed-use scenarios with both screens active can last up to 24 hours.
Pricing and release schedule set for October
The iPhone Duo will be available in star white and night sky colors, with four storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. U.S. prices begin at $1,999, and it starts at AED 8,499 in the UAE. Customers across more than 70 countries and regions will be able to preorder the device starting Oct. 16. Apple plans to initially launch it on Oct. 23, with another release in 28 additional countries and regions on Oct. 30.
By introducing the iPhone Duo, Apple enters the foldable smartphone segment already occupied by numerous major manufacturers. Its book-style design combines an outer screen with a larger internal workspace, integrating Apple’s proprietary processors, camera technology, software, and services. The device is exclusively eSIM-enabled worldwide and supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The Oct. 23 release will see Apple’s first foldable iPhone reach consumers approximately six weeks after its official announcement.