Apple Debuts the iPhone Duo, its First Foldable Handset

Apple has introduced its inaugural foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, at its fall event in Cupertino, California. Priced at $1,999 for a 256GB model in the United States, preorders commence on October 16, with the device set for release on October 23. The event also saw the unveiling of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

The iPhone Duo boasts a passport-sized, titanium construction, making it the thinnest iPhone upon opening. Its display measures 7.6 inches when opened and 5.4 inches when closed. Notably, it supports the Apple Pencil and utilizes Touch ID for unlocking, diverging from Face ID.

Available in star white and night sky finishes, the iPhone Duo's inner matte display aims to minimize the crease effect and reflection. Powering the device is the A20 Pro chip. The phone features a 48-megapixel main camera and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, capable of capturing 4K video at 120 frames per second and 4K time-lapse.

Dual capture technology in FaceTime enables video recording using both the rear and inner cameras, while Apple claims up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner screen and 44 hours on the outer screen, with a 24-hour charge cycle when both screens are used equally.

Apple enters a competitive foldable phone arena, joining forces with Samsung, Google, Motorola, and Chinese manufacturers like Honor, Oppo, and Huawei. IDC predicts global foldable shipments to surge by over 12% this year, with Apple contributing significantly to this growth. The firm forecasts Apple to ship more than 17 million foldable iPhones by 2027, potentially securing nearly 40% of the global market share by year-end.

This development marks a significant step in the company's efforts to expand foldables' appeal and establish a stronger foothold in the rapidly evolving smartphone landscape.