CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, marking the company’s entry into foldable smartphone technology. Starting at $1,999 in the U.S., the device opens to a 7.6-inch internal display, while a 5.4-inch outer screen is used for standard phone functions when closed. Preorders will begin on Oct. 16, with retail sales scheduled for Oct. 23. This launch introduces a new form factor to Apple’s traditional iPhone lineup alongside its existing models.
Both sides of the iPhone Duo feature Super Retina XDR displays with ProMotion and Always-On support. Apple specifies a peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits for each screen. The inner display benefits from a nano-texture coating that diminishes glare and conceals the fold crease, according to Apple. The enclosure is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, and the precision hinge incorporates over 100 components. Additionally, Apple assigns an IP68 rating to the device for water and dust resistance.
iOS 27.1 has been designed to function seamlessly whether the device is open or closed. The new Split View feature allows users to operate two apps side by side, a first for the iPhone. It is also possible to open two windows of the same app and save app pairs for later. The inner screen can display two Home Screen pages and a vertically scrolling Today View. Touch ID is embedded in the side button and functions regardless of whether the device is folded or unfolded.
Foldable hardware integrated with an updated iOS experience
Camera capabilities include a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera and a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide camera. The main sensor offers an optical-quality 2x telephoto option. During photography, Duo Preview allows users to see a live camera feed on the outer screen while capturing a photo. Selfies can be taken with the rear cameras while previewing oneself on the external display. The main camera supports 4K video recording at up to 120 frames per second in Dolby Vision.
The device is powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip, manufactured using a 2-nanometer process technology. This processor features a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU, and a dual 16-core Neural Engine. It is paired with a vapor chamber and a battery located on each side of the device. Apple estimates up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner screen, with the outer display offering up to 44 hours and mixed-use battery life reaching 24 hours.
Pricing details and release schedule for October launch
The iPhone Duo will be available in star white and night sky colors, with four storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. In the U.S. , pricing begins at $1,999, and in the UAE, the starting price is AED 8,499. Customers across more than 70 countries and regions will be able to preorder the device starting Oct. 16. Apple plans to initially release the iPhone Duo on Oct. 23, with availability expanding to an additional 28 countries and regions on Oct. 30.
The foldable iPhone marks Apple’s entry into a device category already served by various leading manufacturers. Its book-style design combines a traditional outer screen with a larger internal workspace. This format integrates Apple’s own processors, camera systems, software, and services. The device uses an eSIM-only configuration globally and supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The Oct. 23 launch will see the first foldable iPhone in users’ hands approximately six weeks after its official announcement.