CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple has unveiled a new foldable device in the iPhone series, dubbed the iPhone Duo. The company revealed the product on Sept. 9, with preorders scheduled to open on Oct. 16. U.S. pricing starts at $1,999, and the UAE’s initial price point is AED 8,499. The device will be available for purchase starting Oct. 23 across more than 70 countries and regions. This launch marks Apple’s first book-style smartphone featuring separate outer and inner displays.
The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch outer display for daily use when the device remains folded. When opened, it reveals a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR screen, optimized for multitasking and larger apps. Both screens support ProMotion and Always-On functionalities, with outdoor brightness reaching 3,000 nits. The device’s enclosure is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, and the hinge assembly comprises over 100 components. Additionally, the phone holds an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
The software experience is central to utilizing the extra display space of the foldable iPhone. Apple has developed iOS 27.1 to work seamlessly in both open and closed configurations. Split View allows users to run two apps side-by-side on the internal display. It also supports launching two windows from the same app and saving app combinations for later. The expanded screen accommodates two Home Screen pages, while Touch ID remains embedded in the side button.
Expanded display opens new multitasking capabilities for iPhone
The camera setup includes a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera and a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide camera. The main sensor provides an optical 2x telephoto zoom as well. Duo Preview allows users to see a live image of the subject on the outside display while another person captures the photo. The outer screen can also function as a viewfinder for selfies taken with the rear cameras. Video recording supports 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second, with Dolby Vision support included.
Inside, Apple installed the A20 Pro processor, fabricated using 2-nanometer chip technology. This chip features a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU, and dual 16-core Neural Engines. A vapor chamber facilitates thermal management within the foldable body. The device contains a battery on each side, with Apple estimating up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display and 44 hours on the outer screen.
October release positions Apple in the foldable smartphone market
Storage options start at 256GB, extending up to 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB variants. The iPhone Duo will be available in star white and night sky finishes. The initial retail release is scheduled for Oct. 23, following a preorder period that begins one week earlier. An additional 28 countries and regions will receive the device on Oct. 30. The model features an eSIM-only design worldwide and supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity.
With this launch, Apple enters the foldable smartphone segment, which is already populated by offerings from several major manufacturers. Its design combines a standard outer screen with a larger internal workspace suitable for apps, photos, and videos. The hardware integrates Apple’s own chips, operating system, and camera features, while maintaining core iPhone functionalities, including biometric authentication and the existing software ecosystem. Customers can expect their first units roughly six weeks after the September announcement.