iPhone Duo Explained: Apple's First Foldable, Price and Specs
Apple's foldable iPhone Duo costs $1,999 and launches October 23. What it does, how it differs from the iPhone 18 Pro and who it's actually for.
After years of rumours, Apple finally made a foldable. It's called the iPhone Duo, it starts at $1,999, and it goes on sale Friday, October 23 (pre-orders opened October 16).
Here's everything that matters, straight from Apple's official specs, plus an honest take on who should buy one.
What it is
The iPhone Duo is a book-style foldable. Closed, it's a compact phone with a 5.4-inch outer screen. Open it, and you get a 7.6-inch inner screen, Apple's largest iPhone display ever. Apple says the inner display is 50% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max's.
Both screens share the same aspect ratio, so apps look the same shape whether it's open or closed.
Prices
| Storage | Price (US) |
|---|---|
| 256GB | $1,999 |
| 512GB | $2,199 |
| 1TB | $2,599 |
| 2TB | $3,199 |
Apple also sells a $79 case and a $129 Folio with a kickstand.
Key specs
- Chip:
A20 Pro, the same as the iPhone 18 Pro. Apple claims up to 35% better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro. - Displays: 7.6-inch foldable OLED (with a nano-texture finish) and 5.4-inch outer OLED, both ProMotion up to 120Hz and Always-On.
- Cameras: 48MP main and 48MP ultra wide, with a 2x telephoto mode. There's no dedicated telephoto lens like the Pro models.
- Front cameras: a 12MP Center Stage camera on the outside and an under-display camera on the inner screen.
- Unlock: Touch ID in the side button. No Face ID.
- Thickness: 11.3mm folded, 5.2mm unfolded. Apple calls it the thinnest iPhone ever when open.
- Weight: 254g. For comparison, the iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249g.
- Battery: up to 24 hours of typical use, and up to 44 hours of video on the outer screen or 31 on the inner screen.
- Build: titanium frame, Ceramic Shield 2 front, IP68 water resistance.
- Colours: Night Sky and Star White.
- Apple Pencil (USB-C) support: coming later this year.
What you give up compared to the iPhone 18 Pro
- Zoom. No 4x or 8x telephoto. If you photograph kids' sports or concerts, the 18 Pro is better.
- Face ID. Touch ID works well, but it's a change if you're used to Face ID.
- Price. It's $800 more than an 18 Pro.
- It's a first-generation product. Apple's first versions are usually good, but second generations are usually better and cheaper.
Who it's for
- People who read, watch video or work on their phone a lot. The big inner screen is great for documents, spreadsheets, comics and split-screen apps.
- People who wanted an iPad mini in their pocket.
- Early adopters who want the newest thing and can afford it.
Who should skip it
- Anyone on a budget (obviously)
- People who care most about camera zoom
- Anyone who's rough on phones. Foldables are tougher than they used to be, but hinges and inner screens are still more delicate than a slab phone.
How does it compare to Samsung?
Samsung has made foldables for years, and its Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the obvious rival. See our head-to-head: iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold 8.
