Apple disclosed its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on September 9. Featuring a passport-sized design, the device includes a 5.4-inch outer display that unfolds to reveal a 7.6-inch internal screen, marking the largest display ever on an iPhone and closely rivaling the iPad mini’s screen size. The iPhone Duo boasts a polished titanium chassis and a complex hinge system made of over 100 parts, allowing it to fold compactly with a nearly invisible crease.
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In a hands-on review, The Independent’s tech editor Andrew Griffin praised the device, describing the opening and closing action as "just so satisfying" and highlighting the beauty of the unfolded screen. He noted that the transition from the smaller display to the larger one felt seamless, almost making it seem like a single surface.
Running on a modified version of Apple’s iOS 27, the iPhone Duo adapts animations and transitions for its foldable design. When opened, the software efficiently transfers content from the outer to the inner display.
Starting price for the iPhone Duo is set at £1,999 for the 256GB model, with additional options priced at £2,199 for 512GB, £2,599 for 1TB, and £3,199 for 2TB. Customers will have the opportunity to prepare for pre-orders on October 12, with actual pre-orders commencing at 1 PM on October 16. The device will be available for purchase both online and in-store starting October 23. Apple will also offer interest-free payment plans starting from £66.63 per month over 30 months and a trade-in program providing discounts of £25 to £855 based on the old device's condition.
Contract options for the iPhone Duo will be available through various UK networks such as EE, Vodafone, and Sky Mobile, although pricing details have yet to be released. Given its SIM-free starting cost, monthly contract prices are expected to be higher than previous iPhone models.
The iPhone Duo, available in Night Sky and Star White finishes, omits Face ID in favor of a side-mounted Touch ID fingerprint scanner. The phone features a 12MP selfie camera hidden behind the internal display. When unfolded in landscape mode, it can showcase two apps side by side, enhancing multitasking capabilities. In tent mode, the phone automatically activates StandBy mode for easy access to essential information.
Apple claims that the iPhone Duo can play video for up to 31 hours on the larger display and 44 hours on the smaller one, with fast charging capable of reaching 50% battery in approximately 20 minutes with a compatible charger.
If the price of the iPhone Duo is a consideration, retailers have begun reducing prices on previous models such as the iPhone 17 Pro, which has seen discounts to around £999 at various locations.