Apple will begin accepting preorders for the iPhone Duo on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time through its website and the Apple Store app. The device features a foldable design with the largest iPhone display the company has announced to date, along with changes to the operating system and cameras intended to take advantage of both open and closed modes of use.
A Foldable Phone with Two Displays
When the iPhone Duo is opened, its inner display is 50% larger than the display of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, while Apple describes it as the thinnest iPhone ever. When closed, the device uses a 5.4-inch external display, equivalent to 90% of the display area of the iPhone 18 Pro, in a design that can fit in a pocket. The diagonal measurements of the inner and outer displays are 7.58 inches and 5.36 inches, respectively, when calculated as standard rectangles, with the note that the area actually available for viewing is smaller because of the rounded corners.
Apple uses a precisely engineered hinge, while the device relies on a two-battery architecture that the company says provides all-day battery life. The iPhone Duo is powered by the A20 Pro chip and has splash, water, and dust resistance rated IP68, to a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes under specified testing conditions. Two color versions are available: Star White and Night Sky.
Cameras and the iOS 27 Experience
The camera system includes a 48-megapixel main Fusion camera with zero shutter lag, a 2x optical-quality telephoto lens, and a 48-megapixel ultrawide Fusion camera that supports macro photography. The front-facing Center Stage camera also enables photos and videos to be captured automatically in the correct orientation, while a new FaceTime camera is positioned beneath the inner display for use when the device is open or placed on a surface.
iOS 27 adds Split View for multitasking and switching between apps, adapting to folding the phone, changing its orientation, and moving between its two displays. StandBy mode can also be activated on either display even when the device is not charging, to show photos, widgets, or the clock.
What Changes in Practice?
The central idea is to transform the phone from a compact display into a larger workspace when opened, while retaining an external display for quick use. Apple connects this design to Siri AI features, which it describes as a new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence that understands personal context and on-screen content. Users can keep Siri open beside an app on the inner display, or use Siri mode within the camera to obtain information and take action regarding what appears in front of them.
However, these capabilities are not available without restrictions: Siri AI will launch experimentally in English with iOS 27 and will not initially be available in the European Union on iOS. Siri AI and the other new Apple Intelligence features will also not be available in China. Some features that rely on server models are subject to daily usage limits, while Siri AI does not support users under 13. As a result, the actual scope of use remains dependent on language, region, and device compatibility.
Availability and Purchase Options
Apple offers installment and leasing options tied to the U.S. market, including Apple Upgrade through Klarna for 12 or 24 months, with pricing starting at $57.99 per month for the 24-month option before taxes and trade-in value. Customers can also receive credit ranging from $175 to $885 when trading in an iPhone 13 or later, or credit of up to $1,200 when trading in an iPhone 14 Pro Max or later as part of offers from participating carriers. Apple Card Monthly Installments with an annual interest rate of 0% are also available to eligible customers in the United States.
Apple is offering two dedicated accessories: the iPhone Duo Folio cover with a built-in stand, and the iPhone Duo Case with a two-piece design. Both support MagSafe, 25-watt Qi2 charging, and Qi-compatible chargers. New subscribers and some returning subscribers who purchase the device also receive three free months of Apple One, subject to the specified terms.