Apple Enters the Foldable Market with iPhone Duo
Apple has finally joined the foldable phone market after years of speculation, announcing the iPhone Duo at its "Surprise and Shine" event in Cupertino. The device marks the first major product launch under new CEO John Ternus, who stepped into the role presumably following Tim Cook's tenure.
The iPhone Duo features a passport-shaped folding hinge that allows the device to lay flat when opened. Apple claims it's the "thinnest iPhone yet," with a 5.4-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch interior display. The company highlighted that the device was "Inspired by the versatility of iPad," and early hands-on impressions from testers suggest the hardware feels solid despite the scrutiny that comes with any Apple product announcement.
Key specifications include Touch ID for authentication, an IP68 water resistance rating, two rear cameras, and Apple Pencil support arriving "later this year." The interior screen features a special outer layer designed to enhance durability alongside the hinge mechanism. Some apps can be used while the device is partially folded, a feature that takes advantage of the form factor.
At $1,999 for 256GB of base storage, the iPhone Duo sits just above competitors like the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. Preorders begin October 16th, with general availability on October 23rd.
Apple enters a market that has remained relatively niche—foldable phones represented just 1.6 percent of all smartphone sales in 2025. Rival manufacturers including Samsung, Google, Huawei, Oppo, and Honor have released various foldable designs over the past seven years, ranging from book-style large screens to flip phones and more recently trifold devices. Whether Apple's entry will drive significant growth in this segment remains to be seen.
The event also featured announcements of updated AirPods and a new Apple Watch with an always-listening capability, though the iPhone Duo stole the spotlight as the company's "one more thing" reveal.