CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple revealed the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, marking the debut of its inaugural foldable model. Starting at $1,999 in the U.S., the device features a 7.6-inch inner display that unfolds, while a 5.4-inch outer screen handles typical phone functions when closed. Preorders will open on Oct. 16, with retail sales beginning on Oct. 23. This launch introduces a new foldable form factor alongside Apple’s traditional smartphone lineup.
Both sides of the iPhone Duo are equipped with Super Retina XDR screens, supporting ProMotion and Always-On features, with Apple rating peak outdoor brightness at 3,000 nits for each display. Apple notes that a nano-texture coating on the inner panel reduces glare and makes the fold crease less noticeable. The outer shell is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, and the precision hinge comprises more than 100 components. Additionally, the device has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, as confirmed by Apple.
The iPhone Duo runs iOS 27.1, optimized for both open and closed configurations. The new Split View feature allows users to operate two apps side by side, a first for the iPhone. It also enables opening two windows 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, with Touch ID integrated into the side button, functioning whether the device is open or folded.
Foldable Hardware Meets a Redesigned iOS System
Camera capabilities include a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera and a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide lens, with the main camera offering an optical-quality 2x telephoto option. The Duo Preview feature displays a live camera feed on the outer screen while capturing photos, and users can take selfies with the rear cameras while viewing themselves on that outer display. The main camera supports 4K video recording at up to 120 frames per second in Dolby Vision.
Powering the iPhone Duo is Apple’s A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process technology. The chip features a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU, and dual 16-core Neural Engines. Apple pairs it with a vapor chamber cooling system and a battery on each side of the device. The company estimates up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner screen, increasing to 44 hours on the outer display, with mixed usage lasting up to 24 hours.
Pricing Details and Release Schedule Confirmed
Available in star white and night sky, the iPhone Duo will be offered with four storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. In the U.S.), prices start at $1,999, while in the UAE, the starting price is AED 8,499. Customers across more than 70 countries and regions can preorder starting Oct. 16, with an initial launch on Oct. 23, followed by another release in 28 additional countries and regions on Oct. 30.
The foldable iPhone places Apple in a new smartphone segment already served by several leading manufacturers. Its book-style design combines a conventional outer screen with a larger internal workspace, integrating Apple’s processors, camera systems, software, and services. The device exclusively uses an eSIM worldwide and supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The Oct. 23 release date means customers will have their first foldable iPhone roughly six weeks after its initial unveiling.