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Apple Introduces iPhone Duo Foldable Starting at $1,999

The device makes deliberate engineering trade-offs to prioritize thinness, durability and deep iOS integration, a move that could shift the high-end foldable market.

Overview

  • Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo on Wednesday and set pre-orders to open October 16 with shipments to begin October 23.
  • The Duo folds open to a 7.6-inch inner display and has a 5.4-inch outer cover screen, runs Apple’s A20 Pro chip with vapor‑chamber cooling, and is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance.
  • To keep the phone thin and durable Apple removed Face ID in favour of a side‑mounted Touch ID sensor, omitted a periscope telephoto lens in favour of a 48MP main sensor and 2x optical-quality zoom, and arranged a split dual‑battery layout.
  • Apple confirmed MagSafe compatibility and said the iPhone Duo will support the Apple Pencil with a USB‑C model only, with stylus support arriving later this year, and accessory and case makers are already preparing products.
  • Analysts project meaningful market impact — TrendForce forecasts roughly 5 million Duo shipments and about 25% of 2026’s foldable market — and Samsung has publicly pushed back with marketing that highlights its years of foldable experience.