Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, during its 'Surprise and Shine' event. CEO John Ternus called it 'the most transformational change to iPhone since the original,' emphasizing how hardware and software were engineered together. The device starts at $1,999 for 256GB, with options up to 2TB reaching $3,199. Pre-orders begin Friday, October 16, with availability starting October 23.
The Duo features a 5.4-inch outer Super Retina XDR display and a 7.6-inch inner display when unfolded—the largest ever on an iPhone, described by Apple as 50 percent larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Both displays share the same aspect ratio for content continuity, include ProMotion, Always On, and up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, and use a nano-texture finish to reduce glare and minimize crease visibility. Hands-on impressions from Tom's Guide note the crease is visible but not feel-able. A hidden FaceTime camera sits beneath the inner display, appearing only when needed. Apple Pencil support is coming later this year via USB-C.
Built from grade 5 titanium with a hinge made of over 100 components, the Duo carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance—something Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra lack, according to Tom's Guide, which only offer water resistance. Ceramic Shield protects the back, and Ceramic Shield 2 covers the front with improved scratch resistance. Touch ID is built into the side button rather than Face ID, and users can also unlock the phone via Apple Watch. Compared to the Z Fold 8, the Duo is thicker (5.2mm vs 4.5mm open) and heavier (254g vs 201g), and costs $100 more, per Tom's Guide.
Powering the Duo is Apple's new A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process—the same chip used in the iPhone 18 Pro line, according to Tom's Hardware. It features a 6-core CPU (20% faster than the prior generation) and a 7-core GPU (up to 40% faster), paired with a custom vapor chamber for thermal management. Apple claims up to 35 percent better sustained performance versus the iPhone 17 Pro Max. A dual-battery system delivers up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display, 44 hours on the outer display, or 24 hours with both used equally, with fast charging to 50 percent in about 20 minutes wired or 30 minutes wirelessly via MagSafe or Qi2.
The camera system includes a 48MP Fusion Main camera with optical-quality 2x zoom and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera, but no dedicated telephoto lens. New foldable-specific features include Smart Take, which uses on-device AI to snap photos when subjects are posed; Duo Preview, which shows live previews on the outer display; Kid Cue, which plays animations to get children's attention; and Duo FaceTime, letting others join a call via the outer screen. The software runs on iOS 27, redesigned with controls and docks moved to the side of the screen, support for Split View multitasking, an upgraded StandBy mode, and the new Siri AI powered by Apple Intelligence.
Early hands-on impressions from Tom's Guide describe the software as notably polished and the folding experience seamless, positioning the Duo as a strong foldable contender despite its higher price and bulkier build compared to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8. Apple is also introducing accessories including the iPhone Duo Folio ($129) with a kickstand and the iPhone Duo Case ($79), both compatible with MagSafe and Qi2 charging.