Apple has entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, its first device built around a folding display.
The company unveiled the new phone on 9 September 2026, placing it in direct competition with established foldable devices from Samsung, Huawei and other manufacturers.
The iPhone Duo will start at $1,999 in the United States. Pre-orders are scheduled to begin on 16 October, while sales will open on 23 October. Prices and availability may differ across countries.
A passport-sized foldable design
The iPhone Duo has a 7.6-inch inner display that opens horizontally and a 5.4-inch outer screen for use when the device is closed.
Apple describes it as its largest iPhone display to date. The company says the inner screen is 50 per cent larger than that of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The device has a Grade 5 titanium frame and hinge cover, Ceramic Shield protection on the front and back, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. It will initially be available in Night Sky and Star White.
Unlike most recent flagship iPhones, the Duo uses Touch ID built into the side button instead of Face ID. It is also an eSIM-only device worldwide.
Performance and cameras
The iPhone Duo is powered by Apple’s A20 Pro processor and runs iOS 27. Its software has been adapted for the folding display, allowing users to open two applications side by side and move between the inner and outer screens.
Apple has fitted the device with two 48-megapixel rear cameras, covering main and ultra-wide photography. It also includes a 12-megapixel front camera and an under-display camera for FaceTime calls.
The company says the phone can provide up to 31 hours of video playback when the inner display is used and up to 44 hours through the outer screen. Fast wired charging can take the battery to 50 per cent in about 20 minutes, according to Apple.
Storage options range from 256GB to 2TB. Support for the USB-C Apple Pencil is expected later in 2026.
Apple enters an established market
Apple is arriving several years after Samsung introduced its first mass-market foldable phone in 2019. Huawei and other Chinese manufacturers have also developed a strong presence in the category.
Reuters reported that Samsung’s recently introduced Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899, making Apple’s entry model about $100 more expensive.
The iPhone Duo could nevertheless expand interest in foldable phones among existing Apple customers. Research company IDC expects Apple to secure a significant share of the foldable market by the end of 2027, although its $1,999 starting price will keep the device within the premium end of the smartphone market.
Other products announced
Apple also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will become available on 18 September. The iPhone Duo will follow more than a month later, giving Apple additional time before its first foldable device reaches customers.
