Apple unveils $1,999 foldable iPhone Duo in major redesign

Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, introducing a $1,999 flagship device that represents one of the most significant changes to the company's smartphone range in almost a decade.

Called the iPhone Duo, the new device has a passport-like design with rounded edges and folds into a compact form. When opened, it reveals a 7.6-inch display that can be used in both horizontal and vertical orientations, while a separate outer screen remains available when the phone is closed.

Apple says the Duo is its thinnest iPhone when fully opened, with the company placing particular emphasis on portability, one-handed use and productivity.

The launch is also the first major iPhone unveiling under new Apple chief executive John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook after Cook's long tenure at the company.

The introduction marks Apple's biggest physical redesign of the iPhone since the iPhone X eliminated the traditional home button in 2017. The iPhone remains central to Apple's business, generating more than $209 billion in revenue during the company's most recent financial year.

Apple is positioning the Duo as more than simply a larger-screen smartphone. Demonstrations showed the device being used for business applications, including video conferences involving multiple participants and expanded views of workplace messaging services.

The larger display can also accommodate several applications simultaneously, bringing some of the multitasking capabilities traditionally associated with the iPad to a device that can be carried in a pocket.

Ternus said Apple had deliberately avoided entering the foldable market until it believed it could deliver a more practical experience.

He criticised existing foldable smartphones for being cumbersome during everyday activities such as scrolling and watching video.

Apple says its approach uses a specially designed hinge, two displays with a consistent aspect ratio and a titanium body to create a more seamless experience.

The company has also highlighted artificial intelligence and privacy as key features of its latest devices.

Ternus described the iPhone as a personal artificial intelligence hub, arguing that Apple's approach gives users greater control over their information. Apple Intelligence is designed to perform tasks directly on the device where possible, reducing the need for personal data to be processed externally.

Apple is also promoting new artificial intelligence features for Siri, with privacy and security forming a central part of its pitch as the company seeks to compete with rivals that have moved more aggressively into AI-powered smartphone features.

Apple enters growing foldable market

Apple's entry into foldable smartphones comes several years after competitors including Samsung, Motorola and Google introduced their own devices in the category.

The company has traditionally taken a cautious approach to emerging technologies, often waiting until it believes hardware and software have matured before entering a new market.

Alongside the Duo, Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with improvements to battery life, cameras and overall performance.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299.

Pre-orders for the conventional models will begin on September 12, with sales starting September 18. The iPhone Duo is scheduled to become available on October 23.

Analysts say Apple's biggest challenge may be expanding the relatively small foldable-phone market beyond its current niche.

The company has the financial strength, brand recognition and enormous existing iPhone customer base to make foldables more mainstream, but consumers will ultimately determine whether the Duo becomes a major new product category or remains a premium alternative.

Apple's strategy is therefore not simply about competing with existing foldable phones. It is about convincing a much larger audience that a folding smartphone offers enough practical benefits to justify its substantial price.

The $1,999 starting price places the Duo firmly in Apple's premium range, making its reception among business users, technology enthusiasts and existing iPhone customers particularly important.

If Apple succeeds, the launch could help transform foldable smartphones from a specialist product into a much more significant part of the global mobile-phone market.