Apple Unveils Its First Foldable iPhone, the $1,999 Duo

Apple has officially entered the foldable-phone market with the iPhone Duo, a $1,999 device that opens into a 7.6-inch display and reaches stores on October 23. Preorders begin October 16 in star white and night sky finishes.

Two screens share one familiar shape

When closed, the Duo uses a 5.4-inch outer display designed for one-handed use. Opening it reveals what Apple calls its largest iPhone screen, with both displays using the same aspect ratio so apps can move between them without abruptly changing shape. The inner panel includes a nano-texture finish intended to reduce glare and make the center crease less visible.

Apple has built Touch ID into the side button rather than placing Face ID on the front. The titanium frame includes a hinge made from more than 100 components, while the device carries an IP68 water- and dust-resistance rating. Apple says the inner screen uses a custom polymer layer with greater stiffness than comparable materials, though long-term durability will only become clear after real-world use.

The camera system includes 48-megapixel main and ultra-wide cameras. Because the phone can prop itself open, owners can take hands-free calls or frame photos without a tripod. Apple Pencil support is scheduled to arrive later in the year.

iOS 27 brings split-screen work to the iPhone

The larger canvas introduces Split View, allowing two apps to run side by side on an iPhone for the first time. Users can save app pairs, open two windows from the same app and place Siri beside other content. Apple says Netflix, Zoom and Slack have already adapted their apps for the folding design.

The Duo runs on the A20 Pro chip with a custom vapor chamber for cooling. Its two batteries operate as one system, delivering Apple’s claimed 31 hours of video playback on the inner screen or 44 hours on the outer display. The phone is eSIM-only worldwide and supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Apple’s C2 cellular modem.

The launch makes Apple a late but consequential entrant in a category already developed by rivals. Its approach emphasizes software continuity and premium materials, but the starting price places the Duo well above a conventional flagship phone. The October release will show whether Apple can turn foldables from a specialist format into a broader consumer habit.