Apple iPhone Duo adds a foldable screen at a premium price
Apple has introduced the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, expanding the iPhone range with a device that opens into a 7.6-inch display. Apple’s official US price starts at $1,999 for 256GB, with pre-orders opening at 5am PT on 16 October and availability beginning on 23 October.
The new model sits above the iPhone 18 Pro range rather than replacing it. Both use the A20 Pro chip, but the base iPhone Duo costs exactly $800 more than the least expensive iPhone 18 Pro in the US for a larger flexible screen, new multitasking layouts and camera options built around a second display.
Bigger screens change the iPhone layout
The iPhone Duo uses a 5.4-inch outer OLED display when closed and a 7.6-inch inner OLED display when opened. Apple lists resolutions of 2034 by 1398 pixels and 2670 by 1878 pixels respectively. Both screens support ProMotion refresh rates up to 120Hz, Always-On functionality and peak outdoor brightness of up to 3,000 nits.
Apple has added a nano-texture treatment to the inner panel to reduce glare and says support for the USB-C Apple Pencil will arrive later in 2026. Authentication moves from Face ID to a fingerprint sensor in the side button, although a compatible Apple Watch can also unlock the device.
iOS 27 introduces layouts designed for the wider canvas. Users can place two apps side by side, open a second window from the same app and keep video or controls on one half while the device is partly folded. Apple names Netflix, Zoom and Slack among the services adapting to the format, but the value of the larger screen will depend on how consistently third-party developers support it.
The Duo combines a 5.4-inch outer screen with a 7.6-inch inner display. Image: Apple
iOS 27 introduces layouts designed for the wider canvas. Users can place two apps side by side, open a second window from the same app and keep video or controls on one half while the device is partly folded. Apple names Netflix, Zoom and Slack among the services adapting to the format, but the value of the larger screen will depend on how consistently third-party developers support it.
The hinge adds flexibility and weight
The frame and hinge cover use grade 5 titanium. Apple lists the iPhone Duo at 5.2mm thick when open and 11.3mm when closed, with a weight of 254g. The standard iPhone 18 Pro is 8.75mm thick and weighs 211g, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249g.
Apple says the hinge contains more than 100 small components and supports the centre of the inner display as the phone moves between positions. The device uses Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, Ceramic Shield on the back and carries an IP68 rating. Those are manufacturer specifications; the hinge and flexible display will still need independent long-term durability testing after release.
Different cameras for different priorities
The iPhone Duo has a 48MP main camera and a 48MP ultra-wide camera. Its main sensor provides a 2x optical-quality crop, while the outer display can show a live preview to the person being photographed. The rear cameras can also be used for selfies, and Apple says Smart Take can capture a group photo when its on-device models determine that everyone is ready.
A 12MP Center Stage camera sits on the outer display, with another camera beneath the inner screen for calls while the phone is open. Video recording reaches 4K at 120 frames per second with Dolby Vision.
The iPhone 18 Pro is the more capable conventional camera phone on paper. It adds a third 48MP telephoto camera with 4x and 8x optical-quality options, variable aperture settings on the main camera, an 18MP Center Stage front camera and professional formats including ProRes and ProRes RAW. The Duo provides more ways to frame a shot, while the 18 Pro offers longer reach and deeper manual control.
The Duo prioritises screen flexibility while the iPhone 18 Pro offers a broader camera system. Images: Apple
Shared chip with different demands
Both phones use the A20 Pro with a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engine. Apple also uses vapour-chamber cooling in each model. A shared chip does not establish identical real-world performance, however, because the Duo has to drive two displays and fit its components around a hinge. Comparable testing will be needed to assess sustained speed, temperature and efficiency.
Apple rates the Duo for up to 44 hours of video playback on the outer display and 31 hours on the inner display. The standard iPhone 18 Pro is rated for up to 36 hours, while the larger Pro Max reaches 45 hours. The Duo therefore approaches the Pro Max figure only when its smaller outer screen is used.
Wired charging can reach 50 percent in about 20 minutes on the Duo with a compatible 60W or higher adapter, compared with about 15 minutes for the iPhone 18 Pro. Both support MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging. Actual battery and charging results will vary with the display, network conditions, accessories and workload.
The iPhone 18 Pro uses a conventional rigid aluminium unibody. Image: Apple
The pricing leaves a clear gap
The iPhone Duo will be offered in Star White and Night Sky. Apple’s official US prices are $1,999 for 256GB, $2,199 for 512GB, $2,599 for 1TB and $3,199 for 2TB. Apple lists the two-piece iPhone Duo Case at $79 and the iPhone Duo Folio with Kickstand at $129 in the US.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 for 256GB in the US, making the entry-level Duo exactly $800 more expensive. For buyers choosing between the phones, the Duo is for those who expect to use its larger inner screen, split-screen work and flexible camera positions often enough to justify the extra weight and cost. The 18 Pro remains the stronger fit for buyers who prioritise a lighter body, Face ID, longer zoom and a lower entry price.
The iPhone Duo ships with iOS 27.1 and supports eSIM only. Buyers should confirm carrier compatibility before ordering, while regional availability for individual software and intelligence features may vary by language and market.
