CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple has expanded its iPhone series with a new foldable model, the iPhone Duo. The company unveiled the device on Sept. 9, with preorders opening on Oct. 16. U.S. pricing begins at $1,999, while in the UAE, it starts at AED 8,499. The device will go on sale in over 70 countries and regions starting Oct. 23. This launch marks Apple’s first book-style smartphone featuring distinct outer and inner displays.
The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch external display for everyday use when the device is closed. When opened, it reveals a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR screen optimized for larger applications and multitasking. Both screens support ProMotion and Always-On functions, with outdoor brightness reaching 3,000 nits. Apple constructed the device’s casing from Grade 5 titanium and developed the hinge from over 100 components. It also carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
The software is crucial to the foldable phone’s user experience, especially in utilizing the extra screen space. Apple designed iOS 27.1 to operate seamlessly whether the device is open or closed. Split View allows users to place two apps side by side on the internal display, while they can also run two windows within the same app and save app arrangements for later. The expanded display supports two Home Screen pages, and Touch ID remains embedded in the side button.
Enhanced multitasking capabilities introduced with larger display
The camera system integrates a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera along with a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide camera. The main sensor provides an optical-quality 2x telephoto zoom. Duo Preview allows users to see a live image on the outside screen while someone else captures the shot. Additionally, the outer display functions as a viewfinder for selfies using the rear cameras. Video recording supports 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second with Dolby Vision support.
Powering the iPhone Duo is the A20 Pro chip, manufactured with 2-nanometer process technology. The processor features a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU, and dual 16-core Neural Engines. A vapor chamber manages heat within the foldable device. Apple also installed a battery on each side of the device, with the company claiming up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner screen and up to 44 hours on the outer screen.
October release positions Apple in the foldable smartphone industry
Storage options include 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. The iPhone Duo will be available in star white and night sky finishes. Its initial retail launch will be on Oct. 23, following a pre-order window that begins a week earlier. An additional 28 countries and regions will receive the device on Oct. 30. The handset is designed with an eSIM-only setup globally and supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity.
With this release, Apple enters the foldable smartphone arena, already populated by offerings from several major brands. Its form factor combines a traditional outer screen with a larger internal workspace suitable for apps, photos, and videos. The hardware integrates Apple’s proprietary chips, operating system, and camera technologies, all while retaining familiar iPhone features like biometric authentication and its established software ecosystem. Customers can expect their first units approximately six weeks after the September announcement.