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Apple is officially entering the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo. set to be unveiled at the 2026 Surprise and Shine event, the iPhone Duo represents a significant departure for the company, joining the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max in the next generation of Apple devices. The event, led by Apple’s CEO John Ternus who took the role on September 1, 2026, also showcased the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
Foldable Design and Display
The iPhone Duo 5G features a design reminiscent of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 5G, launched in August 2026, with wider dimensions. It boasts a 7.8-inch inner display utilizing an LTPO+ OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, aiming for a nearly crease-free experience thanks to what leaks suggest is a ‘Liquid Hinge’. A 5.5-inch external display, also with a 120Hz refresh rate, provides functionality when folded.
Power and Performance
At the heart of the iPhone Duo is the A20 Pro chipset, built on a 2nm TSMC manufacturing process. The chip employs a 2+4 CPU core configuration, with 2 Everest cores and 4 Sawtooth cores. Apple has increased the L2 cache on the power-efficient cores to 8MP, up from 6MP in the A19 Pro, while maintaining a 16MP L2 cache for the performance cores. Analysts predict an AnTuTu 11 score exceeding 3 million points, a substantial increase from the A19 Pro’s 2.5 million.
Key Features and Software
- Apple Pencil Support: The iPhone Duo will be among the first iPhones to support the Apple Pencil, though it will be sold separately, according to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg.
- iOS 27 Optimizations: Apple is expected to revamp iOS 27 to better accommodate the foldable form factor, with native apps adjusted for wider aspect ratios.
- Touch ID Return?: Rather than implementing dual Face ID sensors, Apple is reportedly considering the reintroduction of Touch ID, integrated into the power button, and reducing the size of the Dynamic Island on both displays.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone Duo 5G is expected to start at $2,000 for the 256GB model, equivalent to approximately Rs 2,00,000 in India. The 2TB storage option will reportedly cost $3,000, or roughly Rs 2,85,000 in India. Following today’s launch, the device is anticipated to go on sale in October, with the iPhone 18 series and Apple Watch models available this week.
