CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, with sales starting October 23. The handset opens to a 7.6-inch inner display and includes a 5.4-inch outer screen for everyday use. Both displays share the same aspect ratio and support ProMotion and Always On features. Peak outdoor brightness reaches 3,000 nits. Apple will open preorders October 16, with U.S. pricing starting at $1,999 for the 256GB model.
The iPhone Duo uses a titanium body and a precision hinge containing more than 100 components. Apple built the enclosure from grade 5 titanium and added Ceramic Shield materials to protect exterior surfaces. The company gives the device an IP68 rating for splash, water and dust resistance under controlled conditions. A nano-texture finish on the folding display reduces glare and reflections. Touch ID sits inside the side button, giving users the same authentication method whether the phone is open or closed.
Apple equips the iPhone Duo with two 48-megapixel rear cameras for main and ultra-wide photography. The main camera supports 48-megapixel images and a 24-megapixel default mode. It also offers an optical-quality 2x telephoto option. The folding design lets users take rear-camera selfies while checking the image on the outer screen. Duo Preview gives subjects a live view before a picture is taken. A FaceTime camera remains hidden beneath the inner display when users do not need it.
A20 Pro supports performance, battery life and dual-screen use
The iPhone Duo runs on Apple’s A20 Pro chip, which also powers the iPhone 18 Pro models. Its hardware includes a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engine. Apple pairs the processor with a custom vapor chamber to manage heat during demanding tasks. The phone carries one battery on each side of the folding body. Software manages both cells as one power system. Apple estimates up to 24 hours of mixed use when activity is divided equally between the two displays.
Battery estimates vary according to the screen in use. Apple lists up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display and 44 hours on the outer screen. Wired charging can reach 50% in about 20 minutes under the company’s stated testing conditions. MagSafe or Qi2 charging can reach the same level in about 30 minutes. The device also supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread through Apple’s N1 wireless chip. Its C2 modem handles cellular connectivity, while the phone uses eSIM worldwide.
iOS 27 adds foldable multitasking before global October release
Apple designed iOS 27 around the iPhone Duo’s folding hardware and larger inner screen. Split View lets users place two applications side by side on an iPhone for the first time. Users can also open two windows from one app and save frequently used app pairs. Several controls move toward the side of the display to leave more vertical room for content. Apple says Apple Pencil with USB-C support will arrive later in 2026. Siri AI starts its beta rollout with iOS 27 on September 14.
The iPhone Duo comes in star white and night sky with storage from 256GB to 2TB. Apple plans the first retail release for October 23 across more than 70 countries and regions. Launch markets include the UAE, United States, China, India, Japan, Canada, Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom. Another 28 markets follow on October 30. The handset ships with iOS 27.1. In the United States, Klarna provides Apple Upgrade leasing options, while T-Mobile supports iPhone Handoff at launch.