Apple Unveils $1,999 iPhone Duo, Its First Foldable Phone

Apple has unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the $1,999 iPhone Duo, marking the most significant redesign of its flagship product in years and opening a new chapter for the company in the increasingly competitive foldable-phone market.

The Duo was unveiled on Wednesday at an event led by Apple’s new chief executive, John Ternus. The launch represents the first major iPhone redesign under Ternus and the company’s most notable change to the flagship device since the removal of the physical home button with the iPhone X in 2017.

Designed to resemble the size and shape of a passport, the iPhone Duo has rounded edges and folds around a custom hinge. When opened, it features a 7.6-inch display that can be used in both horizontal and vertical orientations. A smaller external display allows users to operate the device while it is folded.

Apple said the Duo is its thinnest iPhone when fully opened. The device features a titanium body, dual displays with a consistent aspect ratio and a redesigned hinge aimed at providing a smoother folding experience.

Ternus criticised existing foldable smartphones for being awkward to use for everyday activities such as scrolling and watching videos. He said Apple had designed the Duo to combine the portability of a smartphone with an experience closer to that of an iPad.

Apple is positioning the new device as a productivity-focused smartphone. During the presentation, the company demonstrated the Duo handling Zoom calls with multiple participants and displaying more of the Slack messaging platform. Users will also be able to operate multiple app windows simultaneously on the larger internal display.

The company also highlighted artificial intelligence and privacy as key features of its latest iPhones. Ternus described the iPhone as a personal AI hub and said Apple Intelligence would process information on the device whenever possible, limiting the need to send personal data elsewhere.

Apple is also promoting new AI capabilities for Siri, seeking to differentiate its products through its emphasis on privacy and security.

Alongside the Duo, Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with improvements to battery life, cameras and performance. The Pro models will start at $1,199 and $1,299, respectively. Preorders begin on September 12, with the phones going on sale on September 18. The foldable Duo will be available from October 23.

Apple enters the foldable market years after rivals including Samsung, Motorola and Google introduced their own devices. Analysts say the company’s delayed entry could help it shape a market that remains relatively small.

Forrester analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee said Apple had followed its traditional strategy of waiting for emerging technologies to mature before entering the market. The key test, he said, would be whether Apple could turn foldable phones from a niche product into a meaningful new segment.