Quick facts:
Released: Pre-orders October 16, on sale October 23, 2026 (announced September 9)
Category: Phones
Maker: Apple
The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable phone, announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max on September 9, 2026. It arrives a little later than the Pro models: pre-orders open October 16, with sales starting October 23.
At a glance:
From $1,999 for 256GB — $700 more than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which starts at $1,299.
Design
The Duo uses a book-style fold made from grade 5 titanium, with a hinge built from more than 100 components. It opens to a 7.6-inch inner OLED display — Apple says that's 50% larger than the Pro Max's screen — with a 5.4-inch outer display for quick tasks without unfolding it. Despite the added hinge and second screen, it weighs 254 grams, only 5 grams more than the Pro Max.
Cameras and biometrics
The Duo runs a 48MP Dual Fusion system: a 48MP main camera with a fixed f/1.6 aperture (no variable aperture like the Pro models) and a 48MP Ultra Wide, plus an optical-quality 2x telephoto cropped from the main sensor and up to 10x digital zoom. A standout feature is Duo Preview: the outer screen can show a live preview to whoever is being photographed, so they can check their own framing before the shot.
Instead of Face ID, the Duo uses side-button Touch ID. It's eSIM-only worldwide, with Apple's own C2 modem and N1 wireless chip.
Specs
| Spec | iPhone Duo |
|---|---|
| Chip | A20 Pro (2nm), same as the Pro models |
| Inner display | 7.6″ OLED |
| Outer display | 5.4″ |
| Weight | 254g |
| Rear cameras | 48MP main (f/1.6, fixed) + 48MP Ultra Wide, 2x optical-quality zoom |
| Front cameras | 12MP Center Stage (outer) + 1080p under-display FaceTime (inner) |
| Biometrics | Side-button Touch ID (no Face ID) |
| Battery | Dual-cell — up to 44 hrs video on the outer display, 31 hrs inner, ~24 hrs mixed use |
| Storage | 256GB and up |
| Starting price | $1,999 |
Duo vs. iPhone 18 Pro Max
Both phones share the same A20 Pro chip, so the choice comes down to form factor rather than raw power. At €2,339, the Duo costs €720 more than the Pro Max (€1,619) for the same 256GB — in the US that gap is $700. The Pro Max wins on camera flexibility (variable aperture, a longer true telephoto), battery consistency and charging speed (about 15 minutes to 50% versus roughly 20 for the Duo). The Duo’s entire case rests on the fold itself — the extra screen space for multitasking, and Duo Preview for photos of other people.
Why it matters
This is Apple's first foldable after years of Samsung and others building the category — and unusually for Apple, it's launching at the very top of the price range rather than easing in, positioning the Duo as a premium alternative to the Pro Max rather than a replacement for it.
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