Apple's First Foldable iPhone "Duo" Arrives in October, Starting at €2,399

Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone Duo, its inaugural foldable iPhone, marking the most significant form factor change since the device's inception. While the iPhone 18 Pro models are highly iterative, the iPhone Duo embraces a book-style design. When closed, it features a 5.4-inch external display, expanding to a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR internal panel upon opening. Both displays boast ProMotion technology with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz.

Apple is positioning the iPhone Duo not merely as a larger iPhone, but as a device optimized with a tailored version of iOS 27. The company highlights its utility for multimedia consumption, multitasking, and even as a premium bedside alarm clock. It's clearly a niche product aiming to bridge the gap between an iPhone and an iPad, hence its compatibility with the Apple Pencil.

iPhone Duo Features Titanium Frame, Touch ID, and Same Hardware as iPhone 18 Pro

The iPhone Duo is designed for durability, a crucial aspect given the advancements in this area by competitors. It sports a grade 5 titanium chassis and Ceramic Shield on both the front and back. The device also carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. When unfolded, it measures a mere 5.2 mm thick, expanding to 11.3 mm when closed, with a total weight of 254 grams. The flexible inner display utilizes a nano-texture treatment and new adhesives to minimize reflections and visible crease deformation. Apple has also harmonized the aspect ratios of both displays to ensure a seamless app transition.

A notable departure is the elimination of Face ID. Apple is reintroducing Touch ID, integrated into the side button, allowing for multiple fingerprint registrations and unlocking via Apple Watch. The external screen houses its own Center Stage front-facing camera, while the internal display's camera is concealed beneath the screen, eliminating any visible notches or punch-holes when unfolded. The audio experience is enhanced by stereo speakers positioned at the top and bottom for spatial audio.

Under the hood, the iPhone Duo shares the same SoC as the iPhone 18 Pro: the Apple A20 Pro. This chip features a 6-core CPU, a 7-core GPU, and a dual 16-core Neural Engine, coupled with the new Apple C2 modem. To manage heat in its slim profile, the device employs a vapor chamber cooling system. This powerful hardware is geared towards demanding games, professional applications, the new Apple Intelligence features, and a multitasking experience closer to that of an iPad.

Despite High Price, Camera Capabilities are a Step Down

The iPhone Duo's primary compromise compared to the iPhone 18 Pro lies in its camera system. It features a 48MP main Fusion sensor (26mm, f/1.6) with sensor-shift OIS, and a 48MP ultra-wide (13mm, f/2.2) with a 120-degree field of view. However, it loses the variable aperture on the main sensor for improved light capture and omits the third 48MP telephoto sensor for enhanced optical zoom. Consequently, despite its premium price, the photographic system is demonstrably inferior to the iPhone 18 Pro, especially if zoom capabilities are a priority – a direct result of the space constraints in a 5.2 mm thick foldable device when open.

The battery is physically divided between the two halves of the phone. Apple claims up to 44 hours of video playback using the external screen, an impressive figure for a foldable. Battery life will naturally vary significantly with the usage of the larger 7.6-inch internal display, which consumes more power due to its size and resolution. Apple aims to mitigate this by optimizing the A20 Pro, C2 modem, and internal layout to maximize available space.

The iPhone Duo will be available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage configurations. In Spain, official pricing starts at €2,339 for the 256GB model. The 512GB version will cost €2,589, the 1TB model €3,089, and the top-tier 2TB variant will be priced at €3,839. Pre-orders open on October 16th, with the first units shipping on October 23rd. In the United States, it starts at $1,999.