CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, marking the company’s first entry into foldable smartphones. The device starts at $1,999 in the U.S. and features a 7.6-inch inner display when unfolded. When closed, it uses a 5.4-inch outer screen for regular phone functions. Preorders will open on Oct. 16, with retail sales beginning on Oct. 23. This launch introduces a new form factor for Apple, complementing its standard iPhone lineup.
The iPhone Duo features Super Retina XDR screens on both sides, equipped with ProMotion and Always-On support. Apple claims peak outdoor brightness reaches 3,000 nits for each display. The inner panel’s nano-texture finish reduces glare and makes the fold crease less noticeable, according to Apple. The device’s enclosure is made from Grade 5 titanium, and the precision hinge consists of over 100 components. Additionally, the iPhone Duo has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, as confirmed by Apple.
The device runs on iOS 27.1, optimized for both open and closed modes. The new Split View allows users to operate two apps side by side, a first for the iPhone. It also supports opening two instances of the same app and saving 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 and functions whether the phone is folded or unfolded.
Foldable design integrates with a revamped iOS experience
The camera system includes a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera and a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide camera. The main camera offers an optical 2x telephoto zoom. Duo Preview displays a live camera feed on the outer screen while a photo is being taken. Users can take selfies with the rear cameras and see themselves on the outer display. The main camera supports 4K video recording at up to 120 frames per second in Dolby Vision.
Apple powers the iPhone Duo with its A20 Pro chip, manufactured using 2-nanometer process technology. The chip contains a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU, and dual 16-core Neural Engines. Apple pairs it with a vapor chamber cooling system and batteries on each side. The company estimates up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner screen. Using the outer display increases this to 44 hours, while mixed usage can last up to 24 hours.
Pricing details and planned release in 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 start at $1,999, and the device begins at AED 8,499 in the UAE. Customers in over 70 countries and regions can preorder from Oct. 16. Apple plans to release the device on Oct. 23, with another rollout on Oct. 30 to 28 additional countries and regions.
The iPhone Duo introduces Apple to the foldable smartphone market, which is already served by several major manufacturers. Its book-style design combines a traditional outer screen with a larger inner workspace. Apple has integrated this format with its own processors, camera system, software, and services. The device relies solely on eSIM technology worldwide and supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The Oct. 23 launch will bring Apple’s first foldable iPhone to users roughly six weeks after its reveal.