Apple unveils its first foldable, the iPhone Duo

Apple unveiled its first foldable device, the iPhone Duo, at its "Surprise and Shine" iPhone event in Cupertino on September 9, 2026. The device is the first major product launched under the company's new CEO, John Ternus. The iPhone Duo features two screens: a 7.6-inch Retina display when unfolded and a 5.4-inch outer display when folded. Apple claims the device is "Inspired by the versatility of iPad" and demonstrated how it can be used in an unfolded vertical mode.

One notable feature is the absence of Face ID; instead, Touch ID is used for unlocking the device, which can also be accessed via the Apple Watch. The device's wider form factor and adapted iOS 27 provide an improved aspect ratio for video watching and allow apps to be used in a split-screen format. Users can pair apps and even use the iPhone half-folded or set it on a table.

The iPhone Duo's introduction into the foldable market comes after rivals like Samsung and Xiaomi had already released their versions of wide foldables. Despite foldables currently making up less than 2% of smartphone shipments, Counterpoint predicts that Apple's new phone could capture up to 25% market share by the end of the year, potentially spurring demand for this form factor.