Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo, introducing a completely new form factor while retaining the familiar iPhone experience.
The company unveiled the device on September 9, describing it as its first foldable iPhone and the biggest change to the product line since the original iPhone. When unfolded, the iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner display, while a 5.4-inch screen is available on the outside when the device is closed.
The inner display is Apple’s largest iPhone screen to date and features a nano-texture finish designed to reduce reflections and glare. Both displays support ProMotion and Always-On functionality, with outdoor brightness reaching up to 3,000 nits.
Foldable design built around durability
Apple has opted for a titanium construction for the iPhone Duo, with the company using grade 5 titanium for the enclosure and a specially engineered hinge containing more than 100 components.
The hinge is designed to keep the inner display supported when the phone is opened, while an integrated magnet system helps the two halves close securely. Apple has also added Ceramic Shield protection, with Ceramic Shield 2 on the front offering three times better scratch resistance than the previous generation. The device carries an IP68 rating for splash, water and dust resistance.
Despite being a foldable, Apple is also positioning the iPhone Duo as a productivity device. Its redesigned iOS 27 interface allows users to run two apps side by side through Split View, open two windows from the same app and save pairs of apps for quick access.
48MP cameras and new foldable photography features
The iPhone Duo comes with a 48MP Fusion Main camera and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera, alongside a 12MP Center Stage front camera.
Apple has designed several camera features specifically around the foldable form factor. Duo Preview allows users to see the camera’s live preview on the outer screen, making it easier for subjects to frame themselves. Smart Take can automatically capture a photo when people are ready, while the rear cameras can also be used for higher-resolution selfies.
The device supports 4K video recording at 120 frames per second in Dolby Vision. Users can also apply certain Cinematic effects after recording and use the phone’s folding design as a makeshift stand for longer video recordings.
A20 Pro brings flagship performance
Powering the iPhone Duo is Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, paired with a custom vapour chamber designed to keep temperatures under control during demanding workloads.
Apple says the chip delivers up to 35 per cent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro. The processor includes a six-core CPU and seven-core GPU, while its Neural Engine has been designed to handle increasingly demanding on-device artificial intelligence workloads.
The dual-battery architecture is another key part of the design. Apple claims up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display, or up to 44 hours when using the outer display. When both screens are used equally, the company quotes up to 24 hours of usage per charge.
Siri AI gets a bigger role
The larger screen also gives Apple’s artificial intelligence ambitions more room to breathe.
iPhone Duo will run iOS 27 and support the company’s new Siri AI, which is being introduced in beta. Siri AI can use information from supported apps and understand what is displayed on screen, allowing users to ask questions or carry out actions without constantly switching between applications.
Apple is also using its foldable display to make multitasking with Siri more practical. Users can have Siri AI open on one side while viewing another application on the other side.
Singapore gets the iPhone Duo in October
For Singapore consumers, the iPhone Duo will be available for pre-order from 8pm on October 16, with retail availability beginning October 23, 2026. Apple says the device will be sold locally through its online store, selected carriers and partner retailers.
The iPhone Duo comes in Star White and Night Sky, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB. Apple’s Singapore specifications list the folded phone at 254g, with a 5.2mm depth when open.
With the iPhone Duo, Apple is taking aim at an increasingly competitive foldable smartphone market while betting that its combination of iOS, premium materials, cameras and artificial intelligence can convince existing iPhone users that it is finally time to make the switch to a foldable phone.