CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple has expanded its iPhone lineup with the addition of a foldable device, the iPhone Duo. The company announced the product on Sept. 9, with preorders set to open on Oct. 16. U.S. pricing starts at $1,999, while in the UAE, the base price is AED 8,499. Sales will commence on Oct. 23 across over 70 countries and regions. This launch marks Apple’s first smartphone with a book-style design featuring separate outer and inner displays.
The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch outer screen for regular use when the device remains closed. When opened, it reveals a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display designed for larger applications and multitasking. Both screens support ProMotion and Always-On functions, with outdoor brightness capable of reaching 3,000 nits. Apple has crafted the case from Grade 5 titanium and constructed the hinge from over 100 components. Additionally, the phone carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
The device’s software is central to its use of the extra display space. Apple developed iOS 27.1 to support both folded and unfolded modes. Split View enables users to position two apps side by side on the inner display. Users can also run two windows from the same app and save app combinations for later use. The larger screen allows for two Home Screen pages, and Touch ID remains integrated into the side button.
Enhanced multitasking options with larger display
The camera array includes a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera and a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide camera. The main sensor supports an optical-quality 2x telephoto zoom. Duo Preview allows users to see a live image of the subject on the outer display while someone else takes the shot. The outer screen can also serve as a viewfinder for selfies captured with the rear cameras. Video recordings can reach 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second with Dolby Vision support.
Apple has equipped the iPhone Duo with the A20 Pro processor, which uses 2-nanometer chip technology. The chip features a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU, and dual 16-core Neural Engines. A vapor chamber aids thermal management within the foldable body. The device also contains a battery on each side. According to Apple, it offers up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display and up to 44 hours on the outer one.
October launch positions Apple in the foldable smartphone market
Storage options start at 256GB, extending through 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations. The iPhone Duo will be available in star white and night sky finishes. The initial retail release begins on Oct. 23, following a pre-order phase that starts a week earlier. On Oct. 30, an additional 28 countries and regions will get access to the device. The phone operates exclusively on eSIM globally and supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity.
With this release, Apple enters the foldable smartphone sector, which already includes models from several leading manufacturers. Its design merges a standard outer screen with a larger internal workspace suitable for apps, photos, and videos. Apple has integrated this hardware with its proprietary chips, operating system, and camera technologies. The company also preserved familiar iPhone features like biometric authentication and its existing software ecosystem. Customers can expect to receive the first units approximately six weeks after the September announcement.