On September 9, 2026, Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo: the first foldable iPhone in the company’s history. The device combines a 5.4-inch outer display with a 7.6-inch inner display, is powered by the new A20 Pro chip, and will be available in Germany starting October 23, 2026, with prices starting at 2,299 euros. Pre-orders will be available starting October 16.
The presentation was led by John Ternus, Apple’s new CEO, in his first appearance in this role. After years of rumors (we’ve covered the speculation surrounding a foldable iPhone in detail here), Apple is officially entering the foldable market, which Samsung has dominated for years with the Galaxy Z Fold.
Key Points at a Glance
- Name: iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone
- Displays: 5.4 inches on the outside, 7.6 inches on the inside, both Super Retina XDR with ProMotion
- Chip: A20 Pro with Dual Neural Engine and vapor chamber cooling
- Price: starting at 2,299 euros (256 GB) up to 3,799 euros (2 TB)
- Pre-order: October 16, 2026, 2:00 p.m. CEST
- Launch: October 23, 2026, in Germany and over 60 other countries
- Drawbacks: no telephoto lens, no LiDAR, no variable aperture
Design and Display: Apple’s First Foldable in Detail
When folded, the iPhone Duo is about the size of a passport, according to Apple, and at 11.3 mm, it isn’t particularly slim. When unfolded, however, it’s said to be the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever built, at 5.2 mm. This is made possible by a newly developed hinge consisting of over 100 individual parts, as well as a Grade 5 titanium casing. The back is protected by Ceramic Shield, while the front features the new Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple claims is three times more scratch-resistant than on the iPhone 18 Pro. Despite the folding mechanism, the device remains IP68-rated for protection against dust and water (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes).
Both displays (5.4 inches on the outside and 7.6 inches on the inside) are based on Super Retina XDR panels with ProMotion, an Always-On feature, and a nano-texture coating to reduce glare. With a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits, Apple aims to ensure good readability even in direct sunlight. Our size comparison of the iPhone 17 series shows how the display sizes stack up against current iPhone models: The outer display is about 90 percent the size of the iPhone 18 Pro’s screen.
Technical Specifications of the iPhone Duo at a Glance
| Category | iPhone Duo |
|---|---|
| External Display | 5.4 inches, Super Retina XDR, ProMotion, Always-On |
| Internal Display | 7.6 inches, Super Retina XDR, ProMotion, Always-On |
| Chip | A20 Pro (6-core CPU, 7-core GPU, dual 16-core Neural Engine) |
| Camera | 48 MP Fusion (2x optical) + 48 MP ultra-wide-angle, no telephoto lens |
| Front camera | 12 MP under the under-display camera, Center Stage front-facing camera on the outside |
| Video | 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120 fps |
| Battery life | Up to 31 hours (inner display), up to 44 hours (outer display), up to 24 hours combined |
| Charging | 50% in about 20 min. (wired) or 30 min. (wireless) |
| Material | Titanium Grade 5, Ceramic Shield / Ceramic Shield 2 |
| Protection rating | IP68 (6 m, 30 min.) |
| Unlocking | Touch ID in the side button, unlock via Apple Watch |
| Connectivity | eSIM-only, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread |
| Dimensions (folded/unfolded) | 11.3 mm / 5.2 mm |
| Colors | Stellar White, Night Sky |
| Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB |
| Price | Starting at 2,299 euros (256 GB) up to 3,799 euros (2 TB) |
Camera and Battery: The Compromises of the First Foldable
With the A20 Pro, Apple promises up to 35 percent more sustained performance than with the iPhone 17 Pro. This is made possible, among other things, by a special vapor chamber designed to better dissipate heat within the folded casing. When it comes to the camera, however, it’s clear that the iPhone duo isn’t meant to replace a pure Pro model: While it features a 48-MP Fusion main camera with 2x optical zoom and a 48-MP ultra-wide-angle camera, it lacks a telephoto lens, a variable aperture, and the LiDAR sensor found on the iPhone 18 Pro. The front camera beneath the inner display also has a lower resolution at 12 megapixels instead of 18. So if you take a lot of telephoto or macro shots, you’re still better off with the iPhone 18 Pro. For video calls and selfies with the device closed, the Center Stage camera in the external display is also available.
When it comes to the battery, Apple relies on a dual-battery architecture: Depending on which display is active, the iPhone Duo can last up to 31 hours (inner display) or 44 hours (outer display) of video playback, according to the manufacturer, and up to 24 hours with mixed usage. Fast charging brings the battery to 50 percent in about 20 minutes via a cable or 30 minutes wirelessly.
iOS 27: New Software for the Foldable iPhone
To ensure the foldable display can be used effectively, Apple has revamped large parts of iOS 27 for the iPhone Duo. The Dock can be oriented vertically, and apps can be opened side-by-side or as two instances of the same app: this marks the first time Split View multitasking is available on an iPhone. Standby mode works on both displays independently of the charging cable, and the system detects the current folding angle to automatically adjust content. The Camera app features a new AI function called “Smart Take,” which uses on-device processing to detect when everyone in the frame is ready for the photo. This is complemented by Duo Preview, Duo FaceTime, and the next generation of Apple Intelligence.
Price and Availability in Germany
In Germany, the iPhone Duo starts at 2,299 euros for the 256-GB model, or 95.79 euros per month over 24 months. The other storage options—512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB—range up to 3,799 euros. Apple also offers matching accessories: The iPhone Duo Case costs 89 euros (Sand, Navy Blue), and the iPhone Duo Folio costs 149 euros (Navy Blue, Taupe).
Pre-orders will be available starting Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5 a.m. PT (2 p.m. CEST). The device will launch on Friday, October 23, 2026, in Germany and in over 60 other countries and regions, including the U.S., the U.K., France, Japan, and South Korea. A second wave of 28 additional countries will follow on October 30.
iPhone Duo vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold: How Does Apple’s Foldable Stack Up?
With the iPhone Duo, Apple is entering a segment that Samsung has dominated for several generations with the Galaxy Z Fold. Unlike many previous foldables, which, according to Apple, tend to look more like two displays placed side by side, identical aspect ratios on the inside and outside, along with specially tuned animations, are designed to ensure a smoother transition between the two screens. With a starting price of 2,299 euros, the iPhone Duo is positioned significantly above the regular Pro iPhones, which are available in Germany starting at 1,449 euros. In contrast, the price difference compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7—which launched at around 2,100 euros (256 GB)—is manageable at about 200 euros. Whether the premium is worth it will likely only become clear after in-depth testing following the market launch. The fact that Apple has opted not to include Face ID in its most expensive iPhone to date is likely to spark debate in the comments sections.
Sustainability: Recycling Rate and Manufacturing
Apple is also emphasizing sustainability aspects with the iPhone duo: A total of 35 percent of the materials used are said to come from recycled sources, and the cobalt in the battery as well as the titanium in the 3D-printed hinge cover are even made entirely from recycled material. Sixty percent of the manufacturing process is said to be powered by renewable energy, and the packaging is made entirely from fiber-based materials.
Conclusion
With the iPhone Duo, Apple is launching its first foldable iPhone, marking one of the biggest design overhauls in the product’s history. Technically, the device is state-of-the-art in terms of its chip, display, and build quality; however, when it comes to the camera and the absence of Face ID, buyers will have to make compromises compared to the iPhone 18 Pro. Anyone willing to spend 2,299 euros or more on a foldable iPhone can pre-order the device starting October 16; shipments will begin on October 23, 2026.
Sources: Apple Newsroom
