Apple Enters the Foldable Phone Race With the New iPhone Duo

Apple has entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, a new device that opens like a small book to reveal a larger internal display.

The $1,999 smartphone represents Apple’s first major move into a category that Samsung and several Chinese manufacturers have been developing for years.

A Phone That Opens Into a Larger Screen

The iPhone Duo has a conventional display on the outside and a larger flexible screen inside. When opened, the device provides more space for watching videos, browsing the web and using multiple applications at the same time.

Apple has designed the device with a passport-like shape when closed, allowing it to remain relatively compact despite its larger internal display.

Apple Takes a Different Approach

Foldable phones have been available from competitors for several years, but Apple has waited before entering the market. The company is relying on its hardware design, software integration and ecosystem of services to attract customers to the new form factor.

The iPhone Duo also places significant emphasis on privacy and the integration between its two displays, allowing users to move between the folded and unfolded modes.

The Challenge of a Folding Display

One of the biggest challenges facing foldable phones is the display crease that can become more noticeable over time.

Apple has introduced a replaceable cover layer above the internal display. The company says the layer can be replaced if it becomes worn, providing an additional way to maintain the folding screen.

A New Chapter for the iPhone

The launch puts Apple into direct competition with established foldable-phone makers. It also gives consumers another option in a smartphone category that has remained relatively small compared with conventional phones.

Whether the iPhone Duo can make foldable smartphones more popular will depend on how consumers respond to its price, design and everyday usability.

Sources

• Associated Press — “Apple joins foldable phone race with $1,999 passport-shaped iPhone Duo,” October 2, 2026.
• The Japan Times Alpha — AP coverage of Apple’s iPhone Duo, October 2, 2026.
• Apple Developer — Official iPhone Duo developer information and events, October 2026.