Apple enters the foldable market with the launch of its book-style iPhone Duo

Apple officially releases its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on October 23, 2026, priced starting at $1,999 or £1,999. The book-style handset unfolds from a compact 5.4-inch outer cover into a 7.6-inch internal display. Online preorders opened on October 16, but high demand and low production yields have already pushed delivery dates into late January 2027 in the United States and the United Kingdom, leaving limited Apple Store walk-in stock as the only alternative for immediate buyers. [1]

Powered by an A20 Pro processor and running iOS 27.1, the iPhone Duo introduces side-by-side multitasking through Split View alongside fold-specific camera modes. The device replaces Face ID with a side-mounted Touch ID sensor and operates on a dual-battery system distributed across both halves of the chassis. Early reviewers at Tom's Guide and Wired noted initial software hiccups, encountering black borders around unoptimized third-party apps and awkward gaming interfaces on the larger inner screen. [1]

The release challenges established Android rivals like Samsung's Galaxy Fold and Google's Pixel Fold by offering a pocket-sized alternative to an iPad Mini. While analysts and reviewers highlight compromises such as the absence of a dedicated telephoto camera and a steep price tag roughly double that of standard flagships, the Duo provides Apple enthusiasts and mobile professionals with their first genuine iOS folding experience. [1][2]