Apple Enters Foldable Era With iPhone Duo and New iPhone 18 Pro Series
Apple has unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, marking one of the company’s biggest product launches in recent years.
Apple introduced the new devices during its annual September event on September 9, 2026. The launch places the technology giant directly into the competitive foldable smartphone market while strengthening its premium iPhone lineup with improved cameras, artificial intelligence and battery performance.
iPhone Duo Becomes Apple’s First Foldable Phone
The iPhone Duo features a passport-style design with a 5.4-inch outer display. Opening the device reveals a larger 7.6-inch screen designed for entertainment, productivity and multitasking.
Users can run two applications simultaneously, access expanded versions of supported apps and position the device at different angles for video calls, photography and media viewing.
Apple has equipped the phone with a titanium frame, reinforced folding mechanism and Ceramic Shield protection. The device carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. It measures 5.2mm when unfolded and is described by Apple as its thinnest iPhone in the open position.
Unlike recent flagship iPhones, the Duo does not use Face ID. Instead, Touch ID is integrated into the side-mounted power button. It also becomes the first iPhone to support the USB-C Apple Pencil.
A20 Pro Chip and Foldable-Friendly iOS
At the centre of the iPhone Duo is Apple’s new A20 Pro processor, manufactured using a 2-nanometre process. The chip is designed to deliver improved graphics, battery efficiency and on-device artificial intelligence performance.
The device runs iOS 27, which has been adapted for the foldable screen. Applications can automatically adjust their layouts as the phone is opened, while a vertical dock and split-screen functionality provide a more tablet-like experience.
Apple has also included its latest C2 cellular modem and support for Apple Intelligence. The company says many AI operations will be processed directly on the device, with Private Cloud Compute used when additional processing power is required.
Cameras and Battery Performance
The iPhone Duo carries two 48-megapixel rear cameras: a main camera and an ultrawide camera. A 12-megapixel camera is positioned on the outer display, while an under-display FaceTime camera is available on the larger inner screen.
Its foldable design enables features such as hands-free group photography, subject previews on the outer screen and tabletop-style video calls.
Apple says the device offers up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display and as much as 44 hours when using the outer screen. The battery is divided between the two sides of the phone to accommodate the folding mechanism.
iPhone Duo Price and Availability
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the United States for the 256GB version. Storage options extend to 2TB, with the highest configuration priced at $3,199.
In India, the device reportedly starts at ₹2,99,900. It will be offered in Star White and Night Sky colour options. Pre-orders are scheduled to begin on October 16, followed by general availability on October 23.
iPhone 18 Pro Series Receives Major Upgrades
Apple also launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Both models are powered by the A20 Pro chip and feature a new 48-megapixel Fusion main camera with variable aperture.
The aperture can automatically adapt to different lighting conditions or be manually controlled through the Camera app. Apple says the system will offer improved low-light performance, sharper details and greater control over depth of field.
The iPhone 18 Pro series also includes upgraded thermal management, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Apple’s C2 modem. Apple claims video playback of up to 36 hours on the iPhone 18 Pro and 45 hours on the Pro Max for eligible eSIM-only versions.
In India, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max begins at ₹1,79,900. Both models will be available in black, silver, glacier and burgundy. Pre-orders open on September 12, with sales beginning September 18.
Apple Challenges the Established Foldable Market
Apple is entering a segment already occupied by brands including Samsung, Google, Honor, Motorola and Oppo. Although foldable smartphones still represent a relatively small part of the global market, Apple’s arrival could increase consumer interest and encourage stronger competition.
The iPhone Duo’s high price and long-term durability will likely influence its initial reception. Nevertheless, its introduction represents a significant change in Apple’s smartphone strategy and the company’s most ambitious iPhone redesign in years.
