Cupertino, California – Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, marking one of the biggest changes to the company’s flagship smartphone since the original iPhone.
The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner display when unfolded and a 5.4-inch outer display when closed, allowing the device to shift between a compact smartphone and a larger screen designed for viewing content, gaming and multitasking.
“iPhone Duo is the most transformational change to iPhone since the original,” Apple CEO John Ternus said.
“With the largest display ever on iPhone that still fits easily in your pocket, combined with the power of A20 Pro, iPhone Duo helps you stay more immersed and productive wherever you go, whether you’re enjoying content, multitasking across apps, or gaming,” he added.
The device is powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip and features a custom vapor chamber for thermal management and a dual-battery architecture aimed at providing all-day battery life.
Apple said the foldable screen uses multiple layers, custom adhesives and high-strength glass designed to withstand repeated folding.
At the center of the design is a precision hinge made up of more than 100 components, which supports the middle of the display when opened and uses magnets to secure the phone when closed.
One of Apple’s key design choices is aimed at a familiar issue with foldable phones: the crease where the screen bends.Apple gave the inner display a nano-texture finish that creates a matte surface to reduce glare and reflections while making the crease less visible. The company also uses optically clear adhesives that allow layers of the display to move as the device folds, reducing stress on the screen.
Apple is entering a foldable smartphone market that has already been developed for years by Android manufacturers. Samsung introduced its first Galaxy Fold in 2019, nearly seven years before Apple’s entry, while Huawei, Xiaomi and other manufacturers have since released their own foldable devices.
The foldable iPhone will start at $1,999 in the United States, putting it at the premium end of Apple’s smartphone lineup. Pre-orders begin Oct. 16, with availability starting Oct. 23.
With reports from Apple Newsroom
