Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo, marking one of the biggest changes to the iPhone lineup in years. The new device combines the familiar portability of an iPhone with a significantly larger display that Apple says is designed for multitasking, gaming and watching content.
With a premium design, Apple’s latest A20 Pro chip and a dual-display setup, the iPhone Duo is positioned as the company’s most ambitious iPhone yet. However, that ambition comes at a steep price, with the foldable starting at nearly ₹3 lakh in India.
Credits: Gadgets 360
iPhone Duo price and availability in India
The iPhone Duo starts at ₹2,99,900 in India. Apple will offer the foldable in four storage configurations: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
The device will be available in two colour options — Star White and Night Sky. Pre-orders are scheduled to begin on October 16, while the iPhone Duo will go on sale from October 23.
The pricing puts Apple’s first foldable firmly in the ultra-premium segment, making it considerably more expensive than the company’s conventional flagship iPhones.
iPhone Duo gets Apple’s biggest iPhone display
The biggest attraction of the iPhone Duo is its foldable design. When opened, the smartphone features a 7.6-inch inner Super Retina XDR display, making it the largest display ever offered on an iPhone.
The outer display measures 5.4 inches and provides around 90% of the screen area found on the iPhone 18 Pro. Both displays support Apple’s ProMotion technology, Always-On functionality and up to 3,000 nits of outdoor brightness.
Apple has also focused heavily on the durability of the foldable mechanism. The iPhone Duo uses a precision hinge made from more than 100 components and features a titanium construction.
The front display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2, while the device carries an IP68 rating for resistance against water and dust.
A20 Pro chip brings more sustained performance
Powering the iPhone Duo is Apple’s A20 Pro chip, which has been paired with a custom vapour chamber designed to improve thermal management.
Apple claims the foldable can deliver up to 35% better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro. The improved thermal system is particularly important for a foldable device because its larger display could encourage users to spend more time gaming, multitasking and running demanding applications.
Battery life has also received attention. The iPhone Duo uses a dual-battery configuration, with Apple claiming up to 24 hours of usage when both displays are used equally.
Dual 48MP cameras and new selfie features
The iPhone Duo comes with a dual-camera setup comprising a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera and a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide camera.
Apple has used the foldable form factor to introduce several camera features that would be difficult to replicate on a conventional smartphone.
These include Smart Take, Duo Preview and the ability to capture selfies using the rear cameras while using the outer display as a viewfinder. The latter could allow users to take higher-quality selfies using the more capable rear camera system.
iOS 27 is designed for the foldable experience
Apple has also adapted iOS 27 specifically for the iPhone Duo. The software takes advantage of the larger internal display with features such as Split View multitasking and redesigned controls.
The larger canvas could allow users to run multiple applications side by side, making the device more useful for productivity as well as entertainment.
The iPhone Duo also supports Apple’s Apple Intelligence features and Siri AI, bringing the company’s latest artificial intelligence capabilities to its first foldable.
Credits: FoneArena
Apple’s biggest bet on the future of smartphones
The iPhone Duo represents more than another addition to Apple’s smartphone portfolio. It marks the company’s entry into a category that has already been developed by rivals such as Samsung and other Android manufacturers.
Apple’s approach combines its established iPhone ecosystem with a foldable design, premium materials and a large internal display. The ₹2,99,900 starting price, however, means the device will remain out of reach for most smartphone buyers.
Whether consumers are willing to pay such a premium for a larger, foldable iPhone will determine how significant the Duo becomes for Apple’s smartphone strategy. For now, Apple has made its position clear: the future of the iPhone may not be limited to a single screen.
