CUPERTINO, Calif. — In a move that signals a significant departure from the traditional smartphone form factor, Apple unveiled its first foldable device, the iPhone Duo, during an event on Wednesday. The launch represents the first major hardware innovation under new CEO John Ternus, who assumed leadership from Tim Cook earlier this month.
The iPhone Duo is designed to fold in half like a passport. When closed, it features a 5.4-inch external display; when opened, it reveals a 7.6-inch internal screen. Apple describes the device as the most radical physical redesign of the iPhone since the company introduced the iconic glass slab nearly 20 years ago.
“The iPhone Duo brings an entirely new design while preserving everything you love and expect from iPhone,” Ternus said during the keynote. “It gives you the largest display ever on an iPhone while still fitting easily in your pocket. It reflects extraordinarily complex engineering, yet feels effortless to use, and it makes new experiences possible.”
Ternus, a mechanical engineer by training, signaled a return to bold hardware design by echoing a famous Steve Jobs tradition. Nearly an hour into a presentation that also covered updates to existing product lines like AirPods, Ternus invoked Jobs’ signature phrase, “But actually, there is one more thing,” before revealing the foldable device.
While competitors such as Samsung and Huawei have offered foldable phones since 2019, early versions of the technology were frequently plagued by durability issues. Analysts note that Apple has historically succeeded by entering markets late with refined, robust products—a strategy exemplified by the original iPhone’s debut more than two decades after the first cellular phones hit the market.
The iPhone Duo will be priced at $1,999, placing it $700 above the entry-level iPhone 18 Pro, which was also announced on Wednesday. Pre-orders begin soon, with the device available starting October 23.
The announcement comes as Apple seeks to revitalize the “wow factor” associated with its products under the late visionary Steve Jobs. While Cook received widespread acclaim for expanding Apple’s market capitalization nearly 13-fold during his tenure, critics argued that the company’s hardware offerings lacked the revolutionary excitement of the Jobs era. Industry observers suggest Ternus’s engineering background may help restore that sense of innovation.
Is anyone else concerned about repair costs? Folding screens have always been fragile. $1,999 better come with a solid warranty guarantee.
I’ve been using Samsung foldables since 2019, and the crease is driving me crazy. I’m hoping Apple’s approach finally makes them viable for everyone.
Ternus using the ‘one more thing’ line was such a cool nod to Jobs. It feels like a new era is officially starting for Cupertino.
Two thousand dollars? That’s a steep price for a first-gen foldable. I’ll wait for the second iteration when they iron out the bugs.
Finally! Apple enters the foldable market with something that actually looks polished. Can’t wait to see how durable this hinge is.