iPhone Duo: How Apple envisions a foldable
Apple is shaking up the foldable market with a pocket-sized iPhone and iPad hybrid – at a steep price.
(Image: Apple)
The small but growing segment of high-end foldables has long been ignored by Apple, but not anymore: On Wednesday evening, the manufacturer unveiled its first smartphone with a foldable display at its traditional September keynote – the “iPhone Duo”. John Ternus himself presented the device, the former head of hardware and newly appointed CEO.
The iPhone Duo resembles a passport and opens and closes like a book. This makes it significantly smaller but also noticeably wider than a classic smartphone. The 5.4-inch OLED external display (1398 x 2034 pixels) and the 7.6-inch OLED internal display when unfolded (1878 x 2670 pixels) place it in the mini-tablet segment. The aspect ratio matches current iPads. An animation makes the otherwise abrupt display change when unfolding foldables appear fluid.
When closed, the Duo is 8.4 cm wide, 11.8 cm high, and 1.1 cm thick. The manufacturer states the weight at 254 grams, and the casing is made of titanium.
iPhone Duo 2026 (24 Bilder)
The foldable runs a customized version of iOS 27, offering the split view known from the iPad to display two apps side by side on the unfolded internal display. Drag & Drop of content is also possible, as long as the respective programs support it meaningfully. Many in-house apps are already adapted for the two new screens, Apple emphasized. This includes shifting controls and the dock to the right side on the external display, making important areas easier to reach with the thumb. The relatively wide format is likely to make one-handed operation tricky even in the folded mode. However, the iPhone Duo will soon support the (not included) Apple Pencil (USB-C) as an input device, as Apple announced – a first for iPhones.
According to Apple’s presentation, the Apple foldable can also be operated “bent”, allowing it to be positioned on a table half-folded. Apps are apparently able to recognize the angle and adapt the user interface.
eSIM-only, Apple promises good battery life
Just like in the iPhone 18 Pro, the new A20 Pro chip is used, complete with a vapor chamber for heat dissipation. With a dual neural engine and improved neural accelerators in the 7-core GPU, it is said to be optimized for faster execution of local AI models. The processor features two high-performance cores (now called Super Cores by Apple) and four efficiency cores.
New is Apple’s C2 cellular modem, which is intended to provide faster uploads and overall lower energy consumption. Apple’s N1 chip, already known from other iPhone models, handles Bluetooth 6, Thread, and Wi-Fi 7. The Duo also supports Ultra Wideband (Generation 2).
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The iPhone Duo is eSIM-only worldwide; Apple has omitted the SIM card slot here, as it did with the thin iPhone Air previously. The battery is said to last up to 24 hours in normal use and can be charged quickly. The 50 percent mark is reportedly reached in about 20 minutes with an empty battery when using at least a 60-watt power adapter. With the Duo, only the USB-C cable is included; the buyer must purchase the power adapter separately. Wireless charging via MagSafe and Qi2 is also possible with up to 25 watts.
While the Duo can output video via the USB-C port, it apparently does not support an extended display mode – unlike iPads with M-series processors. Accordingly, content can only be mirrored or videos output. A kind of desktop mode for operation on external monitors is therefore missing.
Four cameras, but no Face ID
For the rear camera system, Apple is limited to two physical lenses: a main camera (aperture 1.6; 26mm equivalent plus cropped 52mm equivalent) and an ultra-wide-angle camera (13mm), both with 48 megapixels. A 12-megapixel selfie camera is housed in the external display, and another camera for video conferencing is located under the internal display. More precise specifications are missing here, and it’s unlikely to deliver glorious images. Apple highlighted the ability to use the external display as a screen when taking photos: Children could be entertained with cartoons, for example, and selfies could be arranged better.
Face ID facial recognition is missing; the iPhone Duo is unlocked via fingerprint. The Touch ID sensor is integrated into the standby button, as on many iPads – a solution that is often annoying in everyday use. Only Apple Watch owners have it easier, as the watch worn on the wrist can also unlock the foldable.
Just like with other modern iPhones, Apple is providing the Duo with an IP68 certification, meaning the foldable is said to withstand both dust and water.
The iPhone Duo is available in white or very dark blue (“Night Sky”). The base model with 256 GB of storage costs 2300 Euros at Apple, and the maximum configuration with 2 TB costs 3800 Euros. The foldable will not be released until October 23rd, including in Germany. Pre-orders will be possible from October 16th.
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