Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, marking one of the biggest changes to the smartphone’s design since the original iPhone launched nearly two decades ago.
The new iPhone Duo was revealed alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max during Apple’s September event. It opens from a compact 5.4-inch outer display into a much larger 7.6-inch inner screen.
When opened, Apple says the Duo becomes the thinnest iPhone it has ever produced. The larger display also introduces new ways to multitask, including the ability to run two apps side by side.
The phone uses Apple’s new A20 Pro chip and a Grade 5 titanium enclosure. Apple has also designed a new hinge for the device as it enters a foldable smartphone market already occupied by several major competitors.
The Duo won’t come cheap. Prices start at $1,999 USD, making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone. Buyers can configure the device with up to 2TB of storage.
Preorders open October 16 before the iPhone Duo officially arrives October 23.
iPhone 18 Pro Gets Major Camera Upgrade
Apple also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, although their changes are less dramatic visually.
Both phones run on the new A20 Pro chip and feature a smaller Dynamic Island. Apple has also introduced a next-generation vapor chamber to improve sustained performance during demanding tasks.
One of the biggest upgrades comes to the camera.
The new 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera introduces variable aperture, giving photographers more control over how much light enters the camera. The system can also create different levels of depth of field rather than relying entirely on computational effects.
That could make the upgrade particularly useful for photographers and video creators who increasingly use their phones alongside dedicated cameras.
Battery life is another major focus. Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers the largest generational battery improvement in iPhone history, reaching up to 45 hours of video playback.
The new Pro models will be available in black, silver, glacier and a new burgundy finish.
Apple Pushes Further Into AI
Artificial intelligence also played a major role in Apple’s announcements.
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup arrives with iOS 27, Apple Intelligence and an upgraded Siri AI. Apple says many AI tasks will run directly on the device, while more demanding requests can use its Private Cloud Compute system.
The new phones arrive during an important transition for Apple. The event was the company’s first major product launch under new CEO John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook earlier this month.
Apple also revealed the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5 during the event.
For most buyers, the iPhone 18 Pro will remain the more familiar upgrade. The Duo represents the bigger experiment.
After years of other manufacturers developing folding smartphones, Apple is finally entering the category with its own approach. Whether consumers are willing to pay nearly $2,000 for it will now determine how significant that move becomes.
Preorders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max begin September 12, with both models arriving September 18. The iPhone Duo follows on October 23.
