Apple unveils iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone

Apple has introduced its inaugural foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on Wednesday, marking the debut under new CEO John Ternus. The Duo merges the convenience of a smartphone with the expansive display of a tablet, enabling users to enjoy a larger screen without the bulkiness of a tablet. Positioned as a significant challenge for Apple, the launch comes a decade after the AirPods became its last breakout hit.

Ternus, a 51-year-old engineer who joined Apple in 2001, took over from Tim Cook on September 1. The Duo, roughly the size of a passport when folded, offers a full external display when closed and a larger internal display when opened, featuring multiple camera lenses.

Apple claims to have minimized the visible crease in the middle of the screen, a common criticism of foldable devices. Priced starting at US$1,999, it is priced slightly higher than Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8. Additionally, Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, priced at US$1,199 and US$1,299, respectively, marking a US$100 increase from the iPhone 17 lineup launched last year. Notably, Apple did not announce a lower-priced base model, suggesting its release may be delayed.

For the new iPhone models, customers in the US can opt for monthly installment payments through Apple Upgrade, a leasing program partnered with Klarna. The monthly cost for new iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches is approximately US$50, depending on the device. In June, Apple raised prices for its Macs and iPads due to component shortages caused by the AI boom, and warned of similar price hikes for smartphones.

Chinese competitors, Huawei and Xiaomi, released more advanced foldable products before the Duo's unveiling. Huawei introduced the three-panel Mate XT 2 at 19,999 yuan (US$2,800), and Xiaomi presented the 18 Fold at 10,999 yuan (US$1,540). Samsung launched the first mainstream foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold, in 2019. According to IDC research associate Kiranjeet Kaur, Apple's entry into the foldable market could significantly shift competition in both China and globally, potentially accounting for about a third of demand.

The foldable iPhone's arrival coincides with a surge in demand for powerful chips due to the AI boom, causing supply chain constraints and driving up prices across industries. As a result, smartphone shipments are expected to decline by more than 16% this year, while prices increase by over 27%, according to IDC. Apple also announced updated versions of its entry-level AirPods and Apple Watch, with the latter featuring enhanced heart-rate sensors compatible with an upgraded Health app.

Other rumored devices, such as an updated Apple TV box and HomePod mini speaker, as well as a smart home hub with a 7-inch screen, were not mentioned during the event.