CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Apple is preparing an October release for the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone. The company unveiled the device on Sept. 9 with a starting U.S. price of $1,999. Preorders begin Oct. 16, followed by availability on Oct. 23. More than 70 countries and regions will join the initial rollout, including the United States and UAE. Apple CEO John Ternus introduced the new model as the company expanded the iPhone family into a foldable format.
The iPhone Duo opens to a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display, the largest screen Apple has offered on an iPhone. A 5.4-inch outer display handles calls, messages, apps and other tasks while the phone remains closed. Both screens support ProMotion, Always-On technology and peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits. Apple uses Grade 5 titanium for the body and a precision hinge for the folding mechanism. A nano-texture finish on the inner display reduces glare, reflections and the visibility of the crease.
The larger screen also changes how iPhone software works across apps and everyday tasks. Apple will ship the iPhone Duo with iOS 27.1 and features designed for the folding display. Split View can place two apps side by side on the inner screen. Users can save app pairs and open two windows from the same supported application. The display also supports two Home Screen pages when unfolded. Touch ID remains in the side button and works in both open and closed positions.
Dual displays bring expanded software and camera functions
Apple equips the iPhone Duo with two 48-megapixel rear cameras covering main and ultra-wide photography. The main camera also offers an optical-quality 2x telephoto option. Users can turn the outer screen into a preview display while taking photos with the rear cameras. Duo Preview lets another person see the frame while the photographer controls the shot. The device can record 4K Dolby Vision video at up to 120 frames per second. A FaceTime camera sits beneath the inner display and stays hidden when unused.
The A20 Pro chip provides the processing platform for the new foldable iPhone. It includes a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engine. Apple manufactures the processor using 2-nanometer technology and pairs it with a custom vapor chamber. The phone uses one battery on each side to make use of its internal space. Apple also includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread through its N1 networking chip. The device supports Apple’s latest cellular modem technology and eSIM connectivity.
Prices and release dates set for global iPhone Duo rollout
Apple will offer the iPhone Duo with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage options. Buyers can select star white or night sky finishes. The 256GB model starts at $1,999 in the United States and AED 8,499 in the UAE. Customers in the first group of markets can preorder the phone from Oct. 16. Retail availability begins Oct. 23, while another 28 countries and regions join the rollout on Oct. 30. The device will arrive with iOS 27.1 installed.
The iPhone Duo adds a new hardware format to Apple’s smartphone lineup while keeping familiar iPhone software and services. Its folding design combines a compact outer screen with a larger workspace when opened. Apple Intelligence and Siri AI also operate across the device, alongside the company’s existing mobile applications. Apple Pencil with USB-C support will arrive later in 2026 for writing, sketching and document markup. The October launch will mark the first time consumers can buy a foldable iPhone directly from Apple.