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Apple has revealed its inaugural foldable smartphone, christened the iPhone Duo, putting an end to months of speculation about the device's name. The standout feature of this new device is its animation during opening and closing operations, which sets it apart from other foldable phones. Unlike competitors, Apple has created a smooth transition effect that blurs and stretches the interface, making the transformation appear seamless.

Reviewers have praised this feature, describing it as "a work of art" due to the subtle gradient and depth-of-field effects that enhance the sense of continuity during the fold. Apple has also synchronized this visual effect with complementary audio work, adjusting the sound in real-time based on the phone's position, whether it's folded, unfolded, or at an angle.

While Samsung, Google, and other foldable phone manufacturers typically experience a sudden cut when transitioning between the outer and inner screens, Apple's approach integrates the fold into the interface, giving the software the illusion of physically responding to the hinge. Despite not being entirely novel, the concept of a folding transition has been refined by Apple.

The hinge of the iPhone Duo features over 100 precision components and employs a multi-layer lamination design with viscoelastic adhesives to prevent screen distortion during repeated folding. Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo during an event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, on September 9, 2026. The phone boasts several features tailored to its dual-display design.

For example, Duo Preview offers a live camera preview on the outer display for subjects to check their framing before taking a photo. Kid Cue, reminiscent of features found on Google's foldables, plays Peanuts animations on the outer screen to engage children during photo sessions. Duo FaceTime enables a nearby user to join a video call using the outer display's camera without everyone needing to gather around a single screen.

The phone also includes Dual Capture mode, which simultaneously shares both front and rear camera feeds during a FaceTime call. Additionally, Apple has introduced Smart Take, an on-device model that determines when everyone in a group photo is ready and poses, capturing the shot automatically. The iPhone Duo is the thinnest iPhone to date, with a 7.6-inch inner display featuring a nano-texture finish to reduce glare.

Its outer display measures 5.4 inches. The camera system consists of a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens, omitting a telephoto lens, which is a deliberate trade-off compared to rival foldables that include one. Powered by Apple's A20 chip and the C2 modem, the phone is available in blue and silver. Apple has tailored iOS for the new form factor, redesigning the status bar and Dynamic Island to fit both the folded and unfolded display.

Content repositions itself away from the crease when the phone is partially folded, and users can run two apps side by side or open the same app twice simultaneously. Priced at Dh8,499 in the UAE, the iPhone Duo launches on September 9, 2026.