21 photos of Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone

On Wednesday, Apple unveiled its first-ever foldable iPhone, dubbed the iPhone Duo, marking its entry into the competitive foldable smartphone market. The device is set to launch on October 23, priced starting at $1,999. The Duo comes in two color options: Star White and Night Sky. Resembling a passport in size, the device features a 5.4-inch exterior screen for standard smartphone use. When unfolded, it expands to a 7.6-inch wide display.

Apple CEO John Ternus introduced the device, emphasizing that the foldable technology differs from other offerings that he described as simply two phones stuck together. While Samsung's Galaxy Fold, launched in 2019, received accolades for a nearly crease-free foldable screen, Apple claims the Duo to be its thinnest phone to date.

Its hinge, built with carbon fiber support plates and a titanium bottom layer with multi-layer lamination, promises a smooth unfolding experience, preventing any distortion or wear on the OLED screen.

Apple reintroduces Touch ID in the Duo, with a sensor on the right side of the device for thumbprint recognition. The task bar has also been relocated to the right side of the home screen. The Duo's screen is 50% larger than the iPhone Pro Max when unfolded, offering enhanced productivity and entertainment capabilities.

The expanded screen area is particularly beneficial for tasks such as reading emails, viewing recipes, and handling instructional applications. Users can also multitask by having different apps open on each side of the screen. The phone can be held with partially opened screens, resembling a book, to reduce glare or potential eavesdropping.

Additionally, the Duo allows for vertical viewing and can be used for FaceTime video calls, with the exterior screen enabling others to join in. The foldable design even enables the phone to stand upright for video calls or movie watching.