Apple unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, during its Surprise and Shine event in Cupertino on September 9, 2026. This launch marks the debut marquee device under Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus. Unlike many earlier foldables shaped as vertical slabs, Apple chose a wider form factor, designed to improve video viewing when unfolded. The device features a 7.6-inch Retina inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen, and Apple emphasized the versatile use cases inspired by the iPad, including vertical mode and the ability to operate half-folded or flat on a surface.

The iPhone Duo incorporates notable hardware innovations such as an under-display front camera for an uninterrupted screen experience and a special nanotexture finish that minimizes the visible crease and reduces glare, enhancing the foldable display's aesthetics. Its hinge is built from grade 5 aluminum with over 100 components to deliver smooth opening and durability. The phone uses the new A20 Pro chip with the C2 modem enabling faster data uploads and continues the trend of eSIM-only connectivity seen in last year’s iPhone Air model.

On the camera front, the iPhone Duo includes a dual 48-megapixel setup with a fusion main sensor and an ultrawide lens offering 2x optical zoom but notably excludes a telephoto camera. The device supports rear camera selfies with previews on its outer display and features a smart-take mode that captures photos automatically when subjects are posing. The software, iOS 27, has been optimized to leverage the foldable format with features like split-screen app use, vertical docking of controls, and video pinning on vertical orientation. Apple also announced upcoming Apple Pencil support later this year for the foldable.

Priced at $1,999 for the 256GB model, the iPhone Duo will be available in two colors with preorders starting October 16 and shipping beginning October 23. While competitors such as Samsung and Xiaomi have released wide foldables earlier, Apple’s entrance is expected to shake up the foldable market, which currently accounts for less than 2% of overall smartphone shipments. Market analysis from Counterpoint suggests the iPhone Duo could capture up to a 25% market share in this segment by the end of 2026, signaling strong consumer interest in Apple’s entry into foldables.