Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, marking the company’s entry into the rapidly expanding foldable smartphone market and one of the biggest design changes to its flagship product in more than a decade.
The device was introduced on September 9, 2026, at Apple’s product launch event by newly appointed Chief Executive Officer John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook as CEO on September 1.
The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch outer display that opens into a 7.6-inch inner screen, giving users a larger display while retaining a more compact form factor when folded. Apple has positioned the device as a combination of a smartphone and tablet, with features designed to support multitasking and productivity.
The foldable iPhone is powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip and supports Apple Pencil input. It also comes with up to 2TB of storage, while Apple has highlighted its cooling system and dual-screen capabilities among the device’s features.
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for the 256GB model, making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone at launch.
Apple said pre-orders will begin on October 16, with the device expected to become available to customers from October 23.
The launch puts Apple directly into competition with established foldable-phone makers, particularly Samsung, which has been developing foldable smartphones since 2019.
Samsung has already launched its eighth generation of foldable devices, and Apple’s entry is expected to intensify competition in the premium smartphone market.
The foldable iPhone is also significant because it represents Ternus’s first major Apple product launch since becoming CEO.
Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and previously served as senior vice president of hardware engineering. His appointment marked the company’s leadership transition from Cook, who became Apple’s executive chairman.
The new CEO is now overseeing Apple at a time when the company is seeking fresh growth opportunities as smartphone sales mature and competition in artificial intelligence and premium devices intensifies.
For consumers, the iPhone Duo offers the possibility of using a larger screen for activities such as video viewing, gaming and multitasking without carrying a conventional tablet.
However, its $1,999 starting price puts it firmly in the premium category and could limit its appeal among consumers who are unwilling or unable to pay a significant premium for a foldable device.
That consideration is particularly relevant in price-sensitive markets such as Nigeria, where imported smartphones can become substantially more expensive after currency conversion, taxes, duties and retailer mark-ups.
Apple’s entry into the foldable market could nevertheless put pressure on competitors and accelerate the adoption of foldable technology as more manufacturers compete on design, durability, software and pricing.
The iPhone Duo therefore represents more than another addition to Apple’s product line. It is the company’s first major step into a smartphone category that has been dominated by rivals, while simultaneously providing an early test of Ternus’s leadership and Apple’s strategy for its next phase of growth.
