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Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo, its first-ever foldable iPhone. The device was unveiled on September 9, 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. With a passport-style folding design, a large inner display and Apple’s latest A20 Pro processor, the iPhone Duo represents one of the biggest design changes in the company’s smartphone history.
iPhone Duo Price in India
The iPhone Duo starts at Rs 2,99,900 in India for the 256GB storage variant. The phone is available in Star White and Night Sky colours. Higher storage options include 512GB priced at Rs 3,24,900 and 1TB priced at Rs 3,74,900. The 2TB variant is expected to be available at the premium end of the lineup, with reports placing its price at around Rs 4.45 lakh.
Apple has announced that pre-orders in India will begin at 5:30 pm on October 16, 2026. The phone will officially go on sale from October 23 through Apple’s online store and selected retail partners.
A New Foldable Design
The iPhone Duo folds like a book and combines the functions of a conventional smartphone and a small tablet. When folded, it has an outer 5.4-inch display that can be used for regular calling, messaging, browsing and social media.
When opened, the device reveals a large 7.6-inch folding OLED display. Apple describes it as the largest display ever offered on an iPhone. The inner screen is designed for watching videos, gaming, reading documents and multitasking. The company has also introduced a nano-texture finish intended to reduce reflections and make the display crease less noticeable.
Display and Build Quality
Both displays use Super Retina XDR technology and support ProMotion with adaptive refresh rates of up to 120Hz. They also feature Dynamic Island, Always-On display functionality, HDR support, True Tone and wide colour technology.
The inner display measures 7.6 inches diagonally with a resolution of 1878 x 2670 pixels. The outer display measures 5.4 inches and has a resolution of 1398 x 2034 pixels.
Apple has used a titanium frame and a specially engineered hinge system for the device. The company says the hinge is designed for repeated opening and closing while maintaining a smooth folding experience. The phone weighs approximately 254 grams when open and has a thickness of just 5.2mm in its unfolded form.
Performance Powered by A20 Pro
The iPhone Duo is powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chipset, built using advanced 2nm manufacturing technology. The processor includes a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and dual 16-core Neural Engines.
Apple has also included a vapour-cooling system to help manage heat during demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing and multitasking. The device is designed to take advantage of iOS 27, which has been modified specifically for the foldable form factor.
The software allows users to use multiple applications side by side, move content between displays and adjust the interface according to different folding positions. Apple Pencil support is also available for compatible tasks on the large inner display.
Camera Features
The iPhone Duo features a dual-camera system on the rear consisting of a 48MP Fusion Main camera and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera. Apple says the system supports high-resolution 24MP and 48MP photography, improved computational photography and new shooting modes designed around the foldable design.
The phone also includes a 12MP front camera for video calls and selfies. One of the major features is Duo Preview, which allows users to see the camera preview on the outer display while taking photographs or recording videos with the phone unfolded.
Unlike Apple’s recent Pro models, the iPhone Duo does not include a dedicated telephoto camera. It also replaces Face ID with Touch ID integrated into the side button.
Battery and Connectivity
Apple has equipped the iPhone Duo with a dual-battery system designed to provide all-day usage despite its thin folding body. The company claims up to 44 hours of video playback when using the outer display and up to 31 hours when using the inner display.
The phone does not include a physical SIM tray and relies on eSIM connectivity. It also omits the Action button found on some recent iPhone models. These changes make the device different from conventional iPhones in both design and operation.
iOS 27 and Siri AI
The iPhone Duo runs on iOS 27, which introduces a redesigned experience for foldable screens. Apple has optimised the operating system for different orientations, split-screen multitasking and tablet-style applications.
The device also supports Apple Intelligence and the company’s updated Siri AI assistant. Siri AI is being introduced with expanded capabilities, including more personalised assistance and improved on-device functions. Apple is positioning privacy-focused artificial intelligence as an important part of its latest hardware ecosystem.
Why Is the iPhone Duo So Expensive in India?
The starting price of nearly Rs 3 lakh makes the iPhone Duo significantly more expensive than most premium smartphones available in India. In the United States, the device starts at $1,999, creating a substantial difference between the two markets.
One major reason for the higher Indian price is that the foldable model is not currently manufactured locally. Import duties, GST and other costs increase the final retail price. Apple’s broader 2026 price increases have also been linked to rising component and memory costs.
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Final Verdict
The iPhone Duo marks Apple’s first major entry into foldable smartphones and brings together a large tablet-like screen, premium titanium construction, powerful hardware and iOS integration in one device. Its seamless ecosystem experience and large display may appeal to professionals, creators and Apple enthusiasts.
However, the extremely high price, absence of Face ID and telephoto camera, and limited availability make it a luxury purchase rather than a mainstream smartphone. Whether the iPhone Duo can redefine the foldable market will depend on how consumers respond to Apple’s premium approach and whether future generations become more affordable.
