Apple enters the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, a device that combines advanced design, multitasking capabilities, and a new leadership era, signalling a significant pivot in its hardware strategy.
Apple has entered the foldable phone market with the iPhone Duo, a long-awaited redesign that pairs a 7.6-inch inner display with a 5.4-inch outer screen. According to Apple’s newsroom announcement, the device uses a precision hinge, a nano-texture finish to reduce glare and the new A20 Pro chip, while pre-orders open on 16 October and sales begin on 23 October. The starting price is $1,999. Apple says the handset comes in star white and night sky.
The launch also marked the first major product presentation led by John Ternus, who has replaced Tim Cook as chief executive. The New York Post reported that Cook attended the event in Cupertino as executive chairman, while industry commentary framed the unveiling as a key test of whether Apple can still generate excitement around premium hardware. Analysts quoted in the report said the new model could lift Apple’s average selling prices if it gains traction, even if Wall Street had already expected a foldable announcement.
Apple is pitching the Duo as more than a novelty. The company says the larger inner display is built for multitasking and media use, and analysts cited by Tom’s Guide noted support for Apple Pencil, IP68 water and dust resistance and a more durable foldable design than many rivals. Kiplinger described the device as Apple’s most significant hardware rethink since the original iPhone, and said its entry could accelerate interest in a category that has remained relatively niche.
The foldable arrives alongside updated iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, which bring the A20 Pro chip, better battery life and faster charging. TechRadar said the new phones also introduce a variable aperture camera system and new Burgundy and Glacier finishes, while Apple’s push on Apple Intelligence and the delayed Siri overhaul is intended to strengthen its AI position. That matters because Apple has faced questions over both pricing pressure and its pace in artificial intelligence, making the Duo’s reception important well beyond the foldable segment.
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