Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo, introducing a new design that combines a large inner display with a conventional outer screen. The company describes it as its first foldable iPhone, with a focus on a thin design, flexible viewing positions, camera features, performance and battery life.
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the US, or $83.29 per month for 24 months. Apple says pre-orders will begin at 5:00 a.m. PT on October 16, with availability starting October 23.
A Foldable iPhone With Its Biggest Display Yet
The biggest change is the display. When opened, the iPhone Duo has a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR folding display, making it the largest display offered on an iPhone. Apple says the inner screen is 50% larger than the display on the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The inner display uses 10 ultrathin layers and a custom nano-texture finish designed to reduce glare. It also features wide-angle OLED technology and reaches up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. An under-display FaceTime camera remains hidden until it is needed, giving the display a more uninterrupted appearance.
Alongside the large folding screen, Apple has included a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR outer display. The company says the outer screen has more than 90% of the screen area of the iPhone 18 Pro.
Designed to Work in More Than One Position
Apple is also using the foldable format to change how the iPhone can be used. The iPhone Duo can be positioned in different orientations, allowing users to work on either the outer or inner display, angle the phone for watching content, or stand it up for hands-free video calls and recording. These experiences are supported by changes made to iOS 27.
New Camera Features Built Around the Foldable Design
The camera system gets several features designed specifically for the Duo. Smart Take can detect when everyone is ready and automatically capture a picture, reducing the need to race against a timer. Duo Preview and Kid Cue are also included, while Duo FaceTime allows people around the user to be included in group calls.
The phone can capture 48MP photos and record 4K video at 120 frames per second. Its camera features also include Photographic Styles, Spatial Reframing and expanded editing capabilities through Apple’s Clean Up tool.
The iPhone Duo has a 48MP Dual Fusion camera system, consisting of a 48MP Fusion Main camera and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera. It also includes an 18MP Center Stage front camera.
A20 Pro Chip Powers the New Foldable
Apple has equipped the iPhone Duo with the A20 Pro chip and a dual 16-core Neural Engine. The company says its six-core CPU is up to 20% faster than the A19 Pro, while memory bandwidth is up to 50% higher. An advanced thermal management system with a vapor chamber is designed to support demanding tasks and gaming.
Battery life is another major focus. Apple says the iPhone Duo can provide up to 31 hours of video playback when using the inner display and up to 44 hours when using the outer display. The phone also supports fast wired charging, reaching up to 50% charge in around 20 minutes under Apple’s testing conditions.
Siri AI and Apple Intelligence Take a Bigger Role
The foldable iPhone also brings Apple’s latest AI features. Siri AI is described as a conversational assistant powered by Apple Intelligence, with capabilities including open-ended questions, brainstorming and back-and-forth conversations. Personal context can help Siri locate information such as photos, emails and notes on the device.
Apple has also highlighted Call Context, which can surface relevant information from other apps during calls. New and expanded child safety features are also part of the software experience. Siri AI is rolling out in English initially and is available in beta through iOS 27.
Connectivity, Safety and Accessories
The iPhone Duo supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 5G and eSIM. It also supports Messages via satellite, allowing users to send and receive messages when they are off the grid, subject to availability and requirements.
Apple is offering dedicated accessories, including an iPhone Duo Case and an iPhone Duo Folio with a retractable kickstand. The company also says the phone has an IP68 rating for splash, water and dust resistance under controlled laboratory conditions.
What the New iPhone Duo Brings to Apple’s Lineup
With the iPhone Duo, Apple has added a foldable model to its iPhone family while combining a 7.6-inch inner display, a 5.4-inch outer screen, A20 Pro performance, upgraded camera features, Apple Intelligence and extended battery options. It is positioned as a new form factor rather than simply another screen-size variation of the existing iPhone lineup.
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