CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple has added a foldable model to the iPhone lineup with the debut of the iPhone Duo. The company introduced the device on Sept. 9, ahead of preorders opening Oct. 16. U.S. pricing begins at $1,999, while the starting price in the UAE is AED 8,499. Sales will begin Oct. 23 in more than 70 countries and regions. The launch gives Apple its first book-style smartphone with separate outer and inner displays.
The iPhone Duo carries a 5.4-inch external screen for everyday phone use when the device stays closed. Opening the handset reveals a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display designed for larger apps and multitasking. Both panels support ProMotion and Always-On features, with outdoor brightness reaching 3,000 nits. Apple uses Grade 5 titanium for the enclosure and built the hinge from more than 100 components. The phone also carries an IP68 rating for resistance to water and dust.
Software plays a central role in how the foldable iPhone uses its extra screen area. Apple designed iOS 27.1 to support both open and closed modes. Split View lets people place two apps beside each other on the internal display. Users can also run two windows from the same app and save app combinations for later access. The expanded screen supports two Home Screen pages, while Touch ID remains integrated into the side button.
Larger display brings new multitasking options to iPhone
The camera system includes a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera and a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide camera. The main sensor also offers an optical-quality 2x telephoto setting. Duo Preview can show subjects a live image on the outside display while another person takes the picture. The outer screen also works as a viewfinder for selfies taken with the rear cameras. Video recording reaches 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second with Dolby Vision support.
Apple equipped the iPhone Duo with the A20 Pro processor, built with 2-nanometer chip technology. The processor includes a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engine. A vapor chamber supports thermal control inside the foldable body. Apple also placed a battery on each side of the device. The company lists up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display and up to 44 hours on the outer screen.
October release brings Apple into foldable smartphone segment
Storage starts at 256GB and extends through 512GB, 1TB and 2TB options. Apple will sell the iPhone Duo in star white and night sky finishes. The first retail rollout starts Oct. 23 after the preorder period begins one week earlier. Another 28 countries and regions will receive the device on Oct. 30. The handset uses an eSIM-only design worldwide and supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread connectivity.
The iPhone Duo places Apple in a foldable smartphone market that already includes devices from several major manufacturers. Its layout combines a standard outer phone screen with a larger internal workspace for apps, photos and video. Apple has integrated that hardware with its own chips, operating system and camera features. The company also kept familiar iPhone functions, including biometric authentication and its existing software ecosystem. Customers will receive the first units about six weeks after the September announcement.