A New Era: Apple Unveils Foldable iPhone Duo
Credit: Apple
Apple has finally entered the foldable smartphone market. At the September 9 presentation, the company unveiled the iPhone Duo—a device that unfolds like a book, transforming from a compact phone into a large screen for work, video viewing, and multitasking. It is the first foldable iPhone and represents the most significant change to Apple’s smartphone design since the launch of the original model in 2007.
When folded, the iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch external OLED display with a resolution of 2034 × 1398 pixels; according to Apple, its surface area is approximately 90% of the iPhone 18 Pro’s screen. Upon unfolding, the user gets a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a resolution of 2670 × 1878 pixels—50% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max display and 80% larger than that of the iPhone 18 Pro. Later this year, both screens will gain support for the Apple Pencil.
iOS is optimized for dual screens and changes in device orientation: apps can seamlessly transition from the outer display to the inner one, while content and controls rearrange themselves when the smartphone is rotated or partially unfolded. Users will be able to run two apps simultaneously or open two instances of the same app; Apple showcased Zoom and Slack among the optimized applications.
It is worth noting that Apple has brought back Touch ID on the iPhone Duo, integrating the fingerprint scanner into the side lock button. However, the new model lacks Face ID—apparently, there was no room left for it in the slim body.
The smartphone’s body is made of titanium, while structural integrity is ensured by a central load-bearing plane featuring reinforcing ribs, ceramic antenna inserts, and a complex hinge mechanism comprising over 100 precision components. Apple utilized carbon-fiber support plates and a multi-layer screen design intended to keep the panel flat and minimize deformation during repeated folding. The device measures 117.8 × 84.1 × 11.3 mm when folded and 117.8 × 164.6 × 5.2 mm when unfolded. The smartphone weighs 254 grams; for comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8—which shares the same form factor—weighs just 201 grams and is 4.5 mm thick.
The main camera features 48 MP resolution, offers 2x optical-quality zoom, and includes a 48 MP ultra-wide-angle camera. Thanks to the external display, users can take selfies using the main cameras while simultaneously viewing a preview of the shot.
Each half of the iPhone Duo is equipped with its own battery, yet both function as a unified power system. Apple claims up to 31 hours of video playback on the internal display or up to 44 hours on the external one. With balanced use of both screens, battery life reaches 24 hours. Fast charging allows for a 50% charge in approximately 20 minutes, while—according to the company—just five minutes plugged in should provide enough power for five hours of video playback on the external screen.
The iPhone Duo is powered by the A20 Pro, the same chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro. Apple claims a sustained performance boost of up to 35% compared to the iPhone 17 Pro. The smartphone also features a vapor chamber for cooling.
Sales of the iPhone Duo will begin on October 23, 2026, with pre-orders opening on October 16. Prices start at $1,999. Thus, Apple is entering the foldable device market not with a mass-market model, but with an ultra-premium flagship.
