Apple’s first foldable iPhone features a 5.4-inch outer display and 7.6-inch folding inner display.
The iPhone Duo introduces Split View multitasking, a dual-battery system, A20 Pro and new folding camera features.
Pre-orders open on 16 October 2026, with general availability from 23 October 2026.
Apple has entered the foldable phone market, and the iPhone Duo leads a major new line-up of devices and software.
Apple’s latest product launch is one of its most significant in years. Alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12 and iOS 27, the technology giant has unveiled something entirely new: the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable smartphone.
Announced on 9 September 2026, the iPhone Duo marks Apple’s long-awaited entry into the foldable phone category. It is more than an iPhone with a hinge. Apple has redesigned both the hardware and iOS experience around a device that can switch between a compact smartphone and a considerably larger screen. Apple CEO John Ternus calls it “the most transformational change to iPhone since the original.”
Apple iPhone Duo
The headline announcement is undoubtedly the iPhone Duo. Closed, the device features a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR outer display designed for one-handed use. Open it, and the handset reveals a 7.6-inch folding Super Retina XDR screen, the largest display ever fitted to an iPhone and 50 per cent larger than the display on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. When unfolded, the handset measures just 5.2mm thick. Apple has also applied a nano-texture finish to the folding screen to reduce reflections and minimise the crease’s visibility.
The real significance, however, comes from how Apple has adapted iOS to the folding format. Open the iPhone Duo, and users can run two apps side by side through Split View, something never before available on an iPhone. Two windows from the same app can also open simultaneously, which could prove useful for comparing Safari pages, checking documents or working across conversations.
Photography gets an overhaul to suit the format. The 48MP Dual Fusion camera system combines a 48MP Fusion Main camera with an integrated optical-quality 2x Telephoto and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera. Users can fold the device to take a selfie using the higher-resolution rear cameras while framing the photograph on the outer display.
Duo Preview can display a live image to the person being photographed, while Smart Take uses on-device AI to detect when subjects are posing before automatically taking the shot. Kid Cue even displays Peanuts animations on the outer screen to encourage children to look towards the camera. Video recording reaches 4K at 120fps in Dolby Vision using the main camera.
Apple Intelligence and Siri AI have also been integrated throughout the experience. Siri can use personal context, work with information displayed on screen and operate alongside another app when the phone is unfolded.
The iPhone Duo launches in just two colours, Star White and Night Sky, with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage options.
iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max
For those who prefer the familiar iPhone format, Apple has unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The biggest upgrade from previous models is the new 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, allowing the camera to adjust between different aperture settings for greater control over light and depth of field. New Pro controls let you manually adjust aperture, shutter speed and white balance, while Apple Reference Image creates a reference version of photographs to help identify subsequent edits. Both phones use the A20 Pro chip, feature a smaller Dynamic Island and come in Black, Silver, Glacier and a new Burgundy finish.
AirPods 5
Apple is also upgrading its everyday earbuds with AirPods 5. The new generation features redesigned acoustic architecture, next-generation Adaptive EQ and up to 1.5 times stronger Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation. Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking returns, while Live Translation can assist conversations across supported languages and regions. AirPods 5 are IP57 rated for improved resistance to dust, sweat and water. Two versions are offered, with the Wireless Charging Case model adding volume swipe controls and up to five hours of listening with ANC enabled. AirPods 5 will be available from 18 September 2026.
Apple Watch Series 12
Health sits at the heart of Apple Watch Series 12. A new Health Sensing System increases the frequency of heart rate and heart rate variability measurements, while a new Readiness feature analyses activity, training load, sleep and vitals to produce a daily score from zero to 10. Apple says the watch offers its most accurate heart rate sensing yet. Battery life remains at up to 24 hours, although outdoor workout battery life rises to 10 hours, and 15 minutes of charging can provide up to 12 additional hours. Finishes include Dark Bronze, Black, Light Gold and Space Gray aluminium, Radiant Gold and Natural titanium, plus new Pearl White and Night Blue ceramic models. Sales begin on 18 September 2026.
iOS 27
Apple’s next major software update arrives on Monday, 14 September 2026. iOS 27 puts Siri AI at the centre of the experience, with more natural conversations, personal context awareness, actions across apps and a dedicated Siri app that keeps conversations together across compatible Apple devices. Siri mode in Camera adds visual searches directly through the viewfinder, while Apple Intelligence gains Spatial Reframing, Extend and enhanced Clean Up tools for photographs. Safari can automatically organise tabs and monitor webpages for changes through Notify Me, while Liquid Glass receives readability and customisation improvements. Apple also claims faster app launches, Photos loading and AirDrop transfers, alongside expanded parental controls and child safety tools.
How to buy the Apple iPhone Duo
The iPhone Duo will launch later than Apple’s other September hardware. Pre-orders open on Friday, 16 October 2026, before the phone officially goes on sale on Friday, 23 October 2026 worldwide.
In the UAE, Apple will open pre-orders at 4pm local time on 16 October 2026. Prices start from AED 8,499 for 256GB, rising to AED 9,349 for 512GB, AED 11,049 for 1TB and AED 13,599 for 2TB. The phone will be available online and through Apple Stores and selected retailers from 23 October 2026.
In Saudi Arabia, pre-orders begin at 3pm local time on 16 October 2026. The 256GB iPhone Duo starts from SAR 9,499, with the 512GB model priced at SAR 10,499, 1TB at SAR 12,499 and 2TB at SAR 15,499.
In Singapore, customers can pre-order from 8pm SGT on 16 October 2026. Prices start at S$3,099 for 256GB, followed by S$3,399 for 512GB, S$3,999 for 1TB and S$4,899 for 2TB.
In the UK, pre-orders open at 1pm on 16 October 2026. The iPhone Duo starts from £1,999 for 256GB, while 512GB costs £2,199, 1TB costs £2,599 and the flagship 2TB model reaches £3,199.
For Apple’s other announcements, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max pre-orders open on 12 September 2026 ahead of an 18 September 2026 release. AirPods 5 and Apple Watch Series 12 will also be available from 18 September 2026, while iOS 27 can be downloaded as a free software update from 14 September 2026.
Contact: www.apple.com