Apple unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, during an annual product event on September 9, 2026. This new device features a design that opens like a book, resulting in a continuous screen that is 80% larger than the latest iPhone Pro models. When opened, it will also be the thinnest iPhone to date.
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The iPhone Duo is compatible with the Apple Pencil, a feature currently available only for iPad users, and it can be unlocked using an Apple Watch. Apple plans to offer the device in two colors: Star White and Night Sky. Partial folding is also supported by the design, allowing for versatile usage.
Apple CEO John Ternus emphasized that the iPhone Duo aims to transform the foldable phone experience, countering existing models that he described as feeling like "two phones awkwardly stuck together." The starting price for the iPhone Duo is set at $1,999, with pre-orders beginning on October 16 and in-store availability starting on October 23.
In addition to the iPhone Duo, Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which feature improved cameras, enhanced memory chips, and longer battery life compared to their predecessors. The iPhone 18 Pro will start at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max will retail for $1,299, with pre-orders available from September 12 and in-store sales commencing on September 18.
The event showcased Ternus addressing the audience shortly after taking over as CEO on September 1, 2026, following 25 years at Apple. He succeeds Tim Cook, who led the company since Steve Jobs stepped down in 2011.
Apple, a major player in the tech industry, relies heavily on its smartphone division while also producing a range of other products, including iPads, Apple Watches, and MacBooks. The company’s shares have increased by 22% in the last six months, surpassing the S&P 500's growth of 13% during the same period.
The iPhone Duo represents Apple’s effort to enter the foldable smartphone market, which began in 2018 but has remained a small segment of overall smartphone sales. The launch follows Apple's introduction of the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset in 2024 and its advancements in AI technology, branded as Apple Intelligence.