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Apple Introduces the iPhone Duo, Its First Foldable iPhone

Analysts say the Duo’s software-led multitasking could push wider foldable adoption as Apple accepts hardware compromises such as replacing Face ID and removing some Pro camera features to fit the folding design.

Overview

  • Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo on September 9 and will take pre-orders beginning October 16 with shipments starting October 23.
  • The Duo folds open to a 7.6-inch inner OLED display with a 5.4-inch outer cover screen and runs on Apple’s A20 Pro chip with dual 48MP rear cameras, up to 12GB of RAM and up to 2TB of storage.
  • To achieve the thin, book-style fold Apple removed Face ID and added a side-mounted Touch ID button and also omitted several Pro imaging features including a dedicated telephoto lens, LiDAR, Apple ProRAW and ProRes RAW.
  • Apple built Duo-specific iOS 27 features such as Split View, saved app pairs and StandBy and plans Apple Pencil support, which reviewers say enable practical uses like a mini laptop, portable gaming handheld and better travel or media workflows.
  • Analyst Mark Gurman predicts the Duo could accelerate foldable adoption over the next decade and says Apple may add Face ID and a telephoto lens by a third-generation Duo while expanding the lineup to larger or cheaper variants if supply, cost and sales allow.