Apple has launched the iPhone Duo, its first foldable handset, entering a premium smartphone category led by South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and Chinese manufacturers including Huawei.
The device starts at $1,999 in the United States, with preorders scheduled for October 16 and availability from October 23, according to Apple’s official product page. Apple has not provided country-by-country pricing and availability on the page reviewed by TNGlobal.
The launch gives Apple a book-style phone with a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display. Reuters reported that the device is Apple’s largest redesign of the iPhone since the iPhone X in 2017.
Two displays and a new hinge
Apple said the iPhone Duo uses a Grade 5 titanium frame and hinge cover, Ceramic Shield glass on the front and back, and a scratch-resistant coating on the inner display. The handset has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, according to the company.
When open, the inner screen is 50 percent larger than the display on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple said. Both panels use the same aspect ratio, while the inner screen has a custom nano-texture finish intended to reduce glare. Apple has also placed a FaceTime camera beneath the inner display to reduce interruptions across the viewing area.
The foldable design supports several positions. Users can run two applications side by side, place video above another application, stand the phone for hands-free calls or use the outer display while the handset is partly open. These features run on iOS 27, which Apple said has been adapted for transitions between the two screens and different orientations.
Apple pitches productivity and on-device AI
The iPhone Duo uses Apple’s A20 Pro processor, a vapor-chamber cooling system and the company’s C2 cellular modem. Apple said the chip has a dual 16-core Neural Engine for artificial-intelligence workloads, while the move to its own modem continues its effort to reduce reliance on Qualcomm components.
Apple is positioning the larger screen for work as well as entertainment. Reuters said the launch demonstration included expanded views for Zoom and Slack, along with support for multiple application windows. The device also supports Apple Pencil input.
Siri AI is rolling out in English, according to Apple. The company said the assistant can work with personal context, take actions in applications and answer broader questions. Apple also says processing runs on the device when possible, but the product page notes that usage limits can apply to some AI features.
The camera system includes two 48-megapixel rear cameras, a 12-megapixel camera on the outer display and an under-display camera inside. Apple lists up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner screen and up to 44 hours on the outer screen. Those battery and performance figures are company claims and have not yet been independently tested.
Asian rivals set the competitive field
Samsung and Huawei have spent years developing foldable devices, supply chains and software. Reuters cited International Data Corporation as expecting Apple’s entry to expand the category and intensify competition, particularly in China, where Huawei has a strong position.
The iPhone Duo also ties Apple’s device strategy more closely to advanced semiconductors and memory. Reuters reported that Micron chief executive Sanjay Mehrotra attended the launch as demand for higher-performance memory rises with on-device AI. Apple did not identify all suppliers for the new handset.
The launch took place under chief executive John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook on September 1. Apple also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro range, new AirPods and updated Apple Watch models at the event.
Regional availability, local pricing, repair terms and carrier support need confirmation in each Asia-Pacific market before publication. Independent durability and battery tests were not available at launch.