Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, unveiled at the company's September 9 event in California.
Designed to combine the portability of an iPhone with a much larger display, the Duo opens into a 7.6-inch inner screen and folds down to a compact form similar in size to a passport. Apple describes it as its thinnest iPhone when opened.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Apple launched its first foldable iPhone alongside its latest premium devices.
Location: California, United States.
Authority/Organisation: Apple.
Action Taken: Apple unveiled iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and new Apple Watch and AirPods models.
Impact: The launch brings Apple into the competitive foldable smartphone market and expands its premium device ecosystem.
The device also features a 5.4-inch outer display for use while folded. Its inner screen uses a special nano-texture finish designed to reduce glare and reflections, while the foldable design allows users to use the larger display for viewing content, gaming and multitasking.
Under the hood, iPhone Duo is powered by Apple's new A20 Pro chip and includes an advanced thermal-management system. Apple has also redesigned iOS 27 for the larger foldable format, including Split View multitasking that allows two apps to run side by side.
The phone starts at $1,999 in the United States, with storage options extending up to 2TB. Pre-orders begin October 16, with availability starting October 23.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The iPhone Duo represents one of Apple's biggest hardware design changes in years. Its entry could give the foldable category a major boost, particularly among consumers already invested in Apple's ecosystem.
Apple Expands Its Premium Lineup
Alongside the foldable iPhone, Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, bringing new camera, performance and AI-focused features to its flagship smartphone range. The new Pro models also use the A20 Pro chip.
Apple also unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5, expanding the company's latest hardware lineup beyond smartphones.
The launch marks a significant change in Apple's smartphone strategy as the company enters a foldable market that competitors have occupied for several years.
