Apple Starts Selling Foldable iPhone Duo, Reuters reported

Apple iPhone Duo Launch Brings $2,000 Foldable Phone to Market

For nearly two decades, Apple has made only small changes to the iPhone, its money machine. That changes on Friday when Apple starts selling its first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, betting that the device can do for the small foldables market what the original iPhone did for conventional smartphones, Reuters reported. The device starts at $2,000, making it as expensive as Apple’s latest 14-inch MacBook Pro, according to CNN.

The reception of the new device could prove an early test for new Apple CEO John Ternus, the former hardware chief who unveiled the iPhone Duo barely a week after taking charge in September. It could also have large implications for a niche category in which rivals such as Samsung Electronics and Huawei Technologies have sold premium offerings for years. Within minutes of pre-orders opening, Apple’s estimated delivery dates for the Duo slipped to late January as demand outpaced supply, with the company describing the customer response as extraordinary.

Early Reviews Praise Hardware Design While Flagging Software and Camera Shortcomings

Early reviews have praised the $2,000 Duo’s premium design as well as its sturdy and barely visible hinge, a major feat for folding phones whose prominent creased screens have long been a deterrent to buyers. Tom Marieb, Apple’s VP of hardware, explained in an interview with 9to5Mac that the nano-texture finish on the inner display diffuses light to counteract the mirror-like reflections typical of glossy folding screens. The device weighs 254 grams—five grams more than the iPhone 18 Pro Max—making it heavy, though reviewers noted its shorter, squatter form factor makes weight distribution more comfortable to hold than Apple’s largest standard phones, according to 9to5Mac.

At the same time, reviewers noted camera compromises, including the absence of a telephoto lens that leaves zoomed-in photos less crisp than those captured on the iPhone 18 Pro, as CNN reported. Third-party applications still need to be reworked for the new display size. The Verge reported that apps not updated to iOS 27 open on the inner screen without resizing or leave an empty black bar on the side for controls, while fully updated apps utilize the unique 1.4:1 aspect ratio. Longtime Apple commentator John Gruber wrote on his blog, Daring Fireball, that while trying the Duo out for a week was fun, it felt like an extraordinarily polished prototype rather than a finished product he would want to carry.

Limited Duo supplies may disappoint buyers

Limited supplies are likely to disappoint Apple fans lining up in front of stores to buy the Duo. Apple told Reuters that walk-in availability would vary by country, with limited stocks in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Mexico, and much of Britain and Europe. In China, France, Hong Kong, India, and Japan, units are available only for customers who ordered online ahead of time. Apple fans lined up in front of stores to buy the Duo, with limited supplies that could disappoint buyers.

Market research firm IDC expects Apple to take 44% of the foldable value in 2026 on 31% of foldable units shipped. By 2027, IDC projects that Apple will become the market leader in the category both in value and units shipped. Francisco Jeronimo, vice president at IDC, stated that Apple’s entry could bring the foldable format to a much broader audience by making a convincing case for the hardware form factor.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Apple iPhone Duo

How much does the iPhone Duo cost and when did it launch?

The iPhone Duo launches on October 23, with a starting price of $2,000, according to CNN reporting.

What are the dimensions and weight of the iPhone Duo?

According to 9to5Mac, the iPhone Duo weighs 254 grams. When closed, it measures 11.3mm thick, and when unfolded, it measures 5.2mm thick, featuring a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display as reported by CNN.

What chip does the iPhone Duo use for performance?

The Duo runs on an A20 Pro chip and includes an improved vapor chamber thermal management system similar to the iPhone 18 Pro, as noted by The Verge.

What camera features are missing on the iPhone Duo?

CNN reported that the iPhone Duo shares cameras similar to the iPhone 18 Pro, but it lacks a dedicated telephoto camera.

More on this story: Apple iPhone Duo: 2026 Foldable Release & Specs

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