Apple Unveils First Foldable iPhone Duo

Apple unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, during the company’s “Surprise and Shine” iPhone event held in Cupertino on Tuesday. The new device, announced under the leadership of newly appointed CEO John Ternus, marks Apple’s entry into the foldable market with a design that departs from the vertical‑slab form of earlier models. The iPhone Duo features a wider, horizontal fold that allows the screen to open into a tablet‑sized display while still functioning as a compact smartphone when closed.

The Duo’s dual‑screen configuration—an outer display for notifications and quick actions and an inner, larger panel for media and multitasking—promises a more versatile user experience. Apple highlighted the device’s advanced hinge mechanism, which supports up to 180 degrees of rotation and is engineered to withstand millions of folds. In addition to the hardware, the company announced a new software layer that optimizes app layout across the two screens, aiming to reduce the learning curve for consumers accustomed to single‑display phones.

With the iPhone Duo, Apple signals its intent to compete in a segment that has seen rapid growth but limited mainstream adoption. The company plans to begin shipping the device in the fall, with a starting price that positions it above Apple’s current flagship models. Industry analysts will watch closely to gauge consumer response and how the foldable format may influence future iPhone iterations.