Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, ending years of speculation over the company’s entry into the foldable smartphone market.
Called the iPhone Duo, the device features two foldable displays, Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, the company’s C2 modem and a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide main camera. It also supports the Apple Pencil on both screens.
When folded, the iPhone Duo is roughly the size of a passport. Once unfolded, it offers what Apple describes as the largest display in iPhone history. The outer screen measures 5.4 inches, while the inner display is 7.6 inches and is designed to work comfortably in both portrait and landscape orientations.
The larger inner display allows users to run multiple tasks simultaneously. A split-view feature enables two apps to be used side by side, while users can also run multiple instances of the same app. Apple Pencil support on both displays is intended to make note-taking and other productivity tasks easier.
The transition between the outer and inner displays occurs automatically when the phone is folded or unfolded. Apple says controls remain in consistent positions, allowing users to continue using the device without having to search for them again.
The folding mechanism uses a specially designed hinge containing more than 100 components and a custom torque profile. The hinge keeps the phone securely closed and allows it to lie flat when fully opened. A titanium frame is used to balance strength and weight.
The outer display can remain active in standby mode without the phone being connected to a charger, allowing users to view the time and other information at a glance. For security, Apple has integrated Touch ID into the side button. The device can also be unlocked using an Apple Watch.
The iPhone Duo is powered by the A20 Pro chip and Apple’s C2 modem. It has two batteries, one on each side of the device. Apple says the phone can deliver up to 31 hours of video playback when using only the inner display and up to 44 hours when using only the outer screen. With both displays used equally, battery life is rated at up to 24 hours.
For photography, the device features a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide main camera alongside a 12-megapixel 2x optical telephoto camera. The main camera can record 4K video at up to 120 frames per second and supports 4K Dolby Vision HDR time-lapse recording.
The front-facing system includes a Center Stage camera, while a FaceTime camera is positioned beneath the inner display and remains hidden when not in use.
The iPhone Duo will be available in Night Sky and Star White. The 256GB model starts at $1,999. Pre-orders will open on October 16, with the device scheduled to go on sale in 70 countries from October 23.
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