Apple has officially entered the foldable market with the iPhone Duo foldable, unveiled at its “Surprise and Shine” event in Cupertino. This is the first marquee device launched under new CEO John Ternus, and it signals a major strategic shift for the company.
The iPhone Duo foldable arrives in a market where foldables account for less than 2% of smartphone shipments. Apple’s entry could change that quickly. According to analytics firm Counterpoint, the device could capture up to 25% market share by the end of the year.
Design and Display
Unlike early foldables that resembled vertical slabs, Apple adopted a wider form factor for the iPhone Duo foldable. This design supports a better aspect ratio for watching videos when the device is unfolded.
The unfolded display measures 7.6 inches, while the outer display is 5.4 inches. Apple said the device was “Inspired by the versatility of iPad” and demonstrated how users can operate it unfolded in a vertical mode. The inner display features an under-display camera, giving users an all-screen feel without a visible cutout.
Hinge and Durability
Apple addressed one of the biggest complaints about foldables: the visible crease. The company applied a custom nanotexture finish to hide the crease and reduce glare. Most foldables still show a noticeable crease, though companies like Oppo have made progress toward seamless designs.
The hinge uses grade 5 aluminum and over 100 special components. Apple claims this construction delivers smooth opening and closing along with long-term durability.
Security and Unlocking
The iPhone Duo foldable relies on Touch ID rather than Face ID. This is a notable departure from recent iPhone models. Users can also unlock the device using an Apple Watch.
Performance and Battery Life
The device runs on the new A20 Pro chip and C2 modem, which enables faster uploads. Like last year’s iPhone Air, this model is eSIM-only.
Battery life stands out. Apple says users get 31 hours of video playback with the inner display and 44 hours with the outer display. Those figures position the iPhone Duo foldable as a strong option for heavy media consumption.
Camera System
The phone features a 48-megapixel fusion main camera and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera with 2x optical zoom. This dual setup skips a telephoto camera, which may disappoint some photography enthusiasts.
Like other foldables, users can take rear-camera selfies and view previews on the outer display. Apple also added a Google Pixel-like feature that plays an animation on the outer screen to help capture children’s attention during photos. A smart-take feature uses an on-device model to snap an image when all subjects in the frame are posing.
Software and Multitasking
Apple adapted iOS 27 specifically for the iPhone Duo foldable. Essential controls like Wi-Fi move to the side, and the home screen dock is vertically oriented.
Users can run apps in split screen and pair them together. In vertical mode, you can pin a video on top and use other apps on the bottom half. One fascinating feature lets users operate the iPhone half-folded or set it on a table. Apple noted that later this year, the device will also support Apple Pencil usage.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone Duo foldable is priced at $1,999 with 256GB storage and comes in two colors. Pre-orders begin on October 16, and the device will be available on October 23.
How It Compares to Rivals
Samsung and Xiaomi have already launched their versions of wide foldables. Apple’s late entry gives the iPhone Duo foldable an opportunity to learn from competitors’ mistakes and refine the experience.
The bigger question is whether Apple can expand the category beyond early adopters. With a $1,999 price tag, the iPhone Duo foldable targets premium buyers. But Apple’s brand loyalty and ecosystem could drive adoption in ways rivals cannot match.
Counterpoint’s projection of 25% market share by year-end suggests the iPhone Duo foldable could become the most successful foldable launch to date. If that happens, it may push the entire smartphone industry toward wider foldable designs.
