Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market, unveiling the new iPhone Duo at its September 9 launch event in Cupertino, California.
The device is Apple’s first foldable iPhone and marks one of the company’s biggest hardware changes in years. The launch was also the first major Apple product event led by new CEO John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook on September 1.
The iPhone Duo combines the portability of a conventional smartphone with a much larger display that unfolds for viewing content, gaming and multitasking.
When opened, the device features a 7.6-inch inner display, while the outer screen measures 5.4 inches when the phone is folded. Apple says the two displays share the same aspect ratio to provide a consistent viewing experience when moving between the folded and unfolded modes.
The foldable is powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip and features a redesigned thermal management system and dual-battery architecture. Apple has also redesigned iOS 27 to take advantage of the larger foldable display.
Apple is positioning the Duo as a premium device capable of handling demanding tasks while remaining pocketable. The company says the phone is the thinnest iPhone it has produced when opened.
The iPhone Duo starts at US$1,999, making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone and putting it directly into competition with Samsung and other established players in the foldable market.
Apple enters a growing foldable market
Samsung pioneered the mainstream foldable smartphone market with the Galaxy Fold in 2019, while manufacturers including Huawei and Xiaomi have since expanded the category.
Foldable smartphones still account for a relatively small share of the global smartphone market. However, analysts expect Apple’s entry to significantly increase consumer interest in the category and intensify competition in the premium smartphone segment.
Apple’s move also comes at a time when smartphone manufacturers are facing higher component and memory costs as demand for chips continues to be driven by artificial intelligence.
iPhone Duo availability
Apple has announced that pre-orders for the iPhone Duo will begin on October 16, with the device becoming available from October 23. It will be offered in Star White and Night Sky finishes.
Alongside the foldable iPhone, Apple also unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, as well as new Apple Watch and AirPods models at the September 9 event.
The launch represents a major new chapter for Apple’s iPhone lineup, with the company betting that its ecosystem, software integration and premium design can bring foldable smartphones into the mainstream.
