The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable smartphone, opening to a 7.6-inch display and starting at $1,999, with UAE availability from October 23.
CUPERTINO: Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with its biggest iPhone design change in years. The iPhone Duo folds like a book, opens into a tablet-style 7.6-inch display and starts at $1,999 in the US, putting Apple directly into competition with established foldable devices from rival smartphone makers.
Unveiled on September 9, 2026, the new device has a 5.4-inch outer display for everyday phone use. The reveal is Apple’s largest display ever offered on an iPhone until now, designed for watching videos, gaming, reading and running multiple apps.
Apple says the phone will be available in colors Star White and Night Sky.
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What makes Apple’s foldable different?
The biggest attraction is naturally the folding display.
Apple has given the internal 7.6-inch screen a special nano-texture finish designed to reduce glare. Both displays use the same aspect ratio, helping content move smoothly between the outer and inner screens when users open the device.
Power comes from Apple’s new A20 Pro chip. The phone also uses a dual-battery design and a custom vapour chamber to manage heat while supporting demanding applications.
The iPhone Duo runs iOS 27, with software redesigned to take advantage of the larger folding screen. Users can work with apps side by side, giving the device a more tablet-like feel when opened.
In the UAE, the iPhone Duo price starts at AED 8,499 for 256GB, rising to AED 9,349 for 512GB, AED 11,049 for 1TB and AED 13,599 for 2TB. In the US, the entry-level model starts at $1,999. UAE pre-orders begin at 4pm local time on October 16, with availability from October 23.
Apple Pencil support is also expected later in 2026.
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What about the cameras and durability?
Apple has equipped its foldable with two 48-megapixel rear cameras. Its folding design also creates new photography options, including the ability for people being photographed to see themselves on the outer screen while the photographer uses the inner display.
The frame uses grade 5 titanium, while Apple’s precision hinge is designed to deliver smooth opening and closing.
Apple says the device also carries IP68 water and dust resistance.
The iPhone Duo will be offered with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage options. The $1,999 figure applies to the entry-level 256GB model in the United States.
Pre-orders begin on October 16, with sales starting October 23 in more than 70 countries and regions, including the UAE, India, UK, China, Singapore and the US.
The launch puts Apple into a foldable category already developed by competitors including Samsung, Google and Huawei. Apple’s enormous iPhone customer base, however, could bring considerably more mainstream attention to the format.
Its premium price means the first generation is unlikely to be for everyone. But for users who want an iPhone and tablet-style experience in one pocketable device, Apple’s newest model offers something the company’s previous phones could not.
Impact to expect
Apple’s entry could accelerate competition across the foldable smartphone market. Rival manufacturers may respond with thinner designs, better software and more competitive pricing as foldable devices move closer to mainstream adoption.
