Key facts
- Apple launched the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone.
- The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for the 256GB model.
- It features a 7.6-inch foldable Super Retina XDR display.
- The device has a passport-like shape when closed.
- Apple claims the display has minimal to no visible crease.
- The phone is powered by the A20 Pro chip.
Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the long-rumored iPhone Duo, revealed during its latest hardware event. The device, priced starting at $1,999, aims to address common criticisms of foldable designs by adopting a passport-like shape when closed and featuring a wider, shorter chassis.
The iPhone Duo boasts a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR foldable panel, which Apple claims is designed to minimize or eliminate visible creases through a multi-layer construction of flexible glass, a titanium base, and a custom polymer top layer. The device is powered by the same A20 Pro chip found in Apple's new flat iPhones, with the company promising robust battery life, including up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display and 44 hours on the outer screen, with an estimated 24 hours of mixed-use battery life.
Constructed with a titanium frame and internal ceramic fibers, the iPhone Duo is designed for enhanced resilience. Its hinge, composed of over 100 components, is engineered for a smooth and reliable opening experience, complemented by magnets that ensure the device snaps shut securely. The phone also carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
Notably, the iPhone Duo incorporates features that some competitors have phased out, such as an under-display selfie camera and support for the Apple Pencil, which will be available later this year. The device's iOS has been optimized for the foldable form factor, offering enhanced split-screen multitasking and adaptive UI elements, including a repositioned app dock and status bar on the right edge of the screen to improve reachability and content display.
While Apple touts the Duo as its thinnest iPhone when open, it features a downgraded camera system compared to its flat counterparts, with a 48MP primary sensor, a 12MP 2x telephoto lens, and a 12MP selfie camera on the outer display, in addition to the under-display camera. The $1,999 starting price for the 256GB model places it in direct competition with high-end foldables from Samsung and Google.