Apple Announces iPhone Duo Preorders Starting at $1,999
Apple’s first-ever foldable phone, officially named the iPhone Duo, is now available for preorder ahead of its October 23 release date, as Mashable reported. The passport-style device features a nano-texture inner display, a hidden selfie camera, an A20 Pro chip, and a hinge equipped with an internal graphite pipe designed for cooling.
Pricing Tiers and Storage Options for the iPhone Duo
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for the 256GB base model. Stepping up in storage capacity raises the cost significantly, with the 512GB version priced at $2,199 and the 1TB model costing $2,599. A maxed-out version featuring 2TB of storage reaches $3,199, positioning the device as the most expensive iPhone ever produced by Apple. By comparison, that top-tier price matches a 14-inch MacBook Pro configured with an M5 Pro chip and 2TB of storage.
Preorder Deals and Carrier Trade-In Credits
Major mobile carriers and Apple are offering substantial trade-in credits to offset the high purchase price. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Xfinity provide savings of up to $1,200 via monthly bill credits for customers who trade in an eligible older device and select a premium wireless plan. These carrier discounts can lower the effective price of the base 256GB model to $799. Apple itself will give you up to $885 in trade-in credits toward your new Duo.
Fun little touch for the iPhone Duo launch: Apple retail stores will have a system to customize the boot of the device with the buyer's name so it says "Hello, Mark" (for example) when it turns on for the first time. (US only, Duo only, English and Spanish).
Retail Demo Setup and Store Inventory Expectations
Apple is executing a major retail push to showcase the new form factor, according to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman cited by Digital Trends and 9to5Mac. Flagship retail locations will feature extensive display setups, with the Fifth Avenue store in New York City preparing more than 150 demo units. The Apple Park Visitor Center will house nearly 100 units, while high-volume stores in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Manhattan will receive between 30 and 40 units each. Smaller retail locations will feature approximately 20 demo devices.
Hardware Design Choices and Feature Trade-Offs
The iPhone Duo incorporates a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner OLED matte widescreen when unfolded, according to Engadget’s Sam Rutherford, who characterized the device in reports aggregated by Yahoo Tech as Apple’s most exciting device in a decade.
Reviewers noted that the device omits Face ID in favor of a Touch ID sensor integrated into the side power button. The chassis is available in two color options: star white and night sky.
Frequently Asked Questions About the iPhone Duo Launch
When do iPhone Duo preorders start and end?
Preorders for the iPhone Duo began at 8 a.m. ET (5 a.m. PT) on Friday, October 16. Apple opened an online “Get Ready” service to let buyers pre-select their preferred color, storage capacity, and carrier options ahead of time.
When is the official release date?
The iPhone Duo arrives in retail stores and ships to preorder customers on Friday, October 23, exactly one week after preorders opened.
What color options are available?
The folding smartphone is manufactured in two distinct finishes: star white and night sky, a dark black-ish blue.
Does the device support facial recognition?
The iPhone Duo does not include Face ID. Instead, authentication is handled by a physical Touch ID fingerprint sensor embedded directly into the side button.