Apple has finally entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, a $1,999 device designed to challenge Samsung and redefine its flagship lineup.
WEBDESK – MEDIABITES
Apple has entered the foldable smartphone race with the launch of the iPhone Duo, ending years of speculation about whether the world’s most valuable consumer technology company would embrace the rapidly evolving device category.
Unveiled at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino on Wednesday, the foldable iPhone represents one of the company’s most significant hardware redesigns in years. The launch also comes just days after John Ternus took over as Apple’s chief executive, making the product an early test of his leadership.
The iPhone Duo folds into a compact, passport-sized form and opens to reveal a 7.6-inch internal display. A 5.4-inch external screen lets users access the phone without unfolding it, combining the portability of a conventional smartphone with the larger display of a tablet.
Apple has emphasized durability and design to distinguish the Duo from rival foldable devices. The phone features a titanium build and is initially available in Star White and Night Sky.
Its camera system includes an external front camera, two rear cameras, and an internal lens. Apple said users can operate the cameras simultaneously when the device is fully unfolded, opening up additional options for photography, video calls and content creation.
But the biggest talking point is likely to be the price.
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999, making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone. The price places it firmly in the ultra-premium smartphone segment, above many conventional flagship devices. Apple will offer up to 2TB of storage, targeting customers willing to pay a significant premium for its newest form factor.
The device will be available in 70 countries starting October 23, with Apple also offering an upgrade program that lets customers spread payments over one or two years.
Apple’s move comes seven years after Samsung helped establish foldable phones as a distinct smartphone category. Companies including Google, Huawei and Motorola have since expanded the market, but foldable devices still account for a relatively small share of global smartphone shipments.
Apple’s enormous customer base could nevertheless change the economics of the category. Analysts expect the company’s entry to accelerate consumer awareness and competition, particularly in China and other major smartphone markets.
The company also unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside new Apple Watch and AirPods models. Artificial intelligence and on-device processing featured prominently across the latest product lineup.
For Apple, however, the iPhone Duo is the headline act.
The company is betting that its combination of hardware design, software integration, and brand loyalty can transform foldable phones from an expensive niche into the next major evolution of the iPhone.
