Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the introduction of the iPhone Duo, marking one of the biggest design changes in the company’s iPhone lineup. The new device was unveiled at Apple’s launch event in California and combines a foldable form factor with a large internal screen, a compact external display and flagship-level hardware.
The iPhone Duo will be available in India beginning October 23, with pre-orders opening at 5:30 p.m. IST on October 16. The 256GB model will start at approximately $3,135, while the 512GB version will cost around $3,396. The 1TB configuration is priced at approximately $3,919, and the 2TB model comes to about $4,702, based on the exchange rate provided. In the US, the device starts at $1,999 for 256GB.
The foldable iPhone will be offered in Star White and Night Sky. When opened, the device features a 7.6-inch inner display, which Apple describes as its largest iPhone screen to date. A nano-texture finish is designed to reduce glare and provide a clearer viewing experience for activities such as gaming, watching content and working across multiple applications.
Once folded, the iPhone Duo uses a 5.4-inch outer display. Apple has designed both screens with matching aspect ratios, allowing content to transition naturally between the two displays. The phone also features a precision hinge engineered to provide smooth movement and support the durability of the foldable design.
At the heart of the device is Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 18 Pro models. The company has paired it with an enhanced thermal architecture featuring a custom vapor chamber to help maintain performance during demanding tasks. Apple says the new system delivers up to 35 percent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro.
The iPhone Duo also uses a dual-battery setup, with a battery positioned on each side of the device. Apple says the arrangement maximizes available internal space while delivering up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display and up to 44 hours on the outer screen.
Photography is another major component of the new phone. Its 48MP Fusion Main camera can capture images at up to 48MP and includes an optical-quality 2x Telephoto option. A larger sensor, fast aperture and sensor-shift stabilization are designed to improve results in low-light conditions.
The foldable design enables several camera functions unavailable on previous iPhone models. Smart Take uses on-device AI to recognize when subjects are ready for a photograph. Users can also use the outer display to preview selfies taken with the rear cameras, while Duo Preview allows subjects to check framing before a picture is captured.
For families, Kid Cue can display Peanuts animations on the external screen to attract children’s attention toward the camera. Duo FaceTime also allows people nearby to appear in video calls through the outer display.
Video recording supports 4K at 120 frames per second in Dolby Vision, while additional tools offer enhanced cinematic effects, improved audio processing and 4K Dolby Vision HDR time-lapse recording.
The iPhone Duo also brings Apple’s latest artificial intelligence features through Apple Intelligence and Siri AI with iOS 27. Siri can use personal context, understand information displayed on the screen and assist users across messages, emails, photos and other applications.
Apple Intelligence further expands AI capabilities through tools for photo editing, image creation and web monitoring. Apple says these features use on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute to maintain its privacy and security approach.
The iPhone Duo is also eSIM-only worldwide, allowing Apple to use the space normally occupied by a physical SIM card for other internal components. With its foldable design, upgraded processor, camera system and AI capabilities, Apple is positioning the iPhone Duo as a major new direction for its smartphone portfolio.
