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The foldable iPhone is finally here. The iPhone Duo, Apple‘s first phone that folds open like a small book, goes on sale today, Friday, October 23, 2026, in more than 70 countries and regions, including the US and the UK.
Fans have waited years for this moment. Samsung, Google and others have sold foldable phones since 2019, while Apple stayed on the sidelines. Now the company has entered the market with a phone that is thin, light and very expensive.
Here is everything you need to know about the Duo, including the price, the specs, the battery life, how long you may have to wait for delivery and how it compares with Samsung’s latest foldable.
iPhone Duo Release Date and Availability
Apple announced the phone on September 9, 2026, at the same event where it unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro. Preorders opened on October 16.
The phone goes on sale in Apple Stores and online on October 23 in more than 70 countries and regions, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Another 28 countries will follow on October 30.
Apple has warned that walk-in stock in its stores will be limited on launch day, and it cannot promise that every store will have the phone. If you want one quickly, check stock online before you go.
iPhone Duo Price in the US and UK
iPhone Duo Price
US vs UK Pricing & Storage Options
| Storage | US Price | UK Price |
|---|---|---|
| 256GB | $1,999 | £1,999 |
| 512GB | $2,199 | £2,199 |
| 1TB | $2,599 | £2,599 |
| 2TB | $3,199 | £3,199 |
Official Accessories
Note: UK prices include VAT. US prices exclude sales tax.
The iPhone Duo is the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold. Prices start at $1,999 in the US and £1,999 in the UK.
| Storage | US price | UK price |
| 256GB | $1,999 | £1,999 |
| 512GB | $2,199 | £2,199 |
| 1TB | $2,599 | £2,599 |
| 2TB | $3,199 | £3,199 |
UK prices include VAT, while US prices do not include sales tax.
Apple also sells two official cases. The Duo Case costs $79 or £79, and the Duo Folio with a built-in kickstand costs $129 or £129.
The phone comes in two colors: Star White and Night Sky.
iPhone Duo Specs at a Glance
| Feature | iPhone Duo |
| Outer display | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion |
| Inner display | 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, nano-texture |
| Chip | A20 Pro (6-core CPU, 7-core GPU), 2nm |
| Rear cameras | 48MP Fusion Main, 48MP Ultra Wide |
| Front cameras | 12MP outer camera, under-display inner camera |
| Security | Touch ID in the side button |
| Battery life | Up to 44 hours of video on the outer screen |
| Charging | About 50% in 20 minutes with 60W USB-C; 25W MagSafe and Qi2 |
| Weight | 254 grams |
| Thickness | 11.3mm closed, 5.2mm open |
| Frame | Grade 5 titanium |
| Water and dust | IP68 |
| SIM | eSIM only |
| Software | iOS 27.1 |
| Colors | Star White, Night Sky |
Design: Thin, Light and Made of Titanium
Thin, Light & Made of Titanium
Premium Grade 5 Titanium: A durable frame and hinge cover combine with a slim foldable design for a solid, lightweight feel.
When it is closed, the phone measures 84.1mm wide, 117.8mm tall and 11.3mm thick. That makes it shorter and wider than a normal iPhone, a bit like a small passport.
Open it up, and it becomes 164.6mm wide and just 5.2mm thick, which is thinner than any iPhone Apple has made before.
The frame and the hinge cover are made of Grade 5 titanium, the same tough metal Apple uses on its Pro models. At 254 grams, the Duo is heavier than a regular iPhone but light for a phone with two large screens.
Apple has also given it an IP68 rating, which means it is protected against dust and water. That is a big deal for a foldable smartphone, since moving hinges have long been a weak spot for water damage.
Two Screens: Outer and Inner Displays
Two Screens, One Seamless Experience
Nano-texture coating · Reduced glare on the inner display
It has two screens. The 5.4-inch outer display lets you use the phone like a compact iPhone when it is closed. You can reply to messages, take calls and check maps without opening it.
Unfold it, and you get a 7.6-inch inner display that is closer to a small tablet. It is ideal for reading, watching videos, browsing the web and working in two apps side by side.
Both screens are OLED panels with Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion technology, so scrolling looks smooth. The inner screen also has a nano-texture coating to cut glare, a feature Apple previously offered on some Macs, iPads and displays.
A20 Pro Chip and iOS 27
A20 Pro & iOS 27
NEXT-GENDual 16-core Neural Engine for AI
Inside is Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process. It has a 6-core CPU, a 7-core GPU and a dual 16-core Neural Engine for AI tasks. It is the same family of chip used in the iPhone 18 Pro.
The phone ships with iOS 27.1, which includes features designed for the folding screen. For the first time on an iPhone, you can use Split View to run two apps side by side. StandBy mode also works when the phone is partly folded and standing on a table.
Apple has said that support for the Apple Pencil with USB-C will arrive later in 2026.
iPhone Duo Camera
iPhone Duo Camera
Zoom Limitation: No dedicated telephoto lens, so zoom capability is more limited than the iPhone 18 Pro.
The Duo has two rear cameras: a 48MP Fusion Main camera with an f/1.6 aperture and a 48MP Ultra Wide camera.
There is a 12MP selfie camera on the outer screen and a hidden camera under the inner screen for FaceTime calls when the phone is open.
The folding design brings some clever camera tricks. A feature called Duo Preview lets the person you are photographing see themselves on the outer screen while you frame the shot on the inner screen. Smart Take is designed to help you capture the best moment.
The phone does not have a telephoto lens, so its zoom is more limited than the iPhone 18 Pro’s.
iPhone Duo Battery Life and Charging
Power That Lasts
Battery Setup: Dual batteries · Capacity not officially confirmed
Fast charging requires a 60W or higher USB-C power adapter. Actual battery life varies by usage.
iPhone Duo battery life was one of the biggest worries before launch. Apple has fitted the phone with two batteries, one on each side of the fold.
Apple says the phone lasts up to 24 hours of typical use and up to 44 hours of video playback on the outer screen. Video on the larger inner screen is rated at up to 31 hours.
Apple has not shared the exact battery capacity. Reports before launch suggested a total of 5,000 to 5,500mAh, but Apple has not confirmed that number.
For charging, a 60-watt or higher USB-C adapter can take the battery to about 50% in around 20 minutes. MagSafe and Qi2 wireless chargers work at up to 25 watts.
What Is Missing
What Is Missing?
Key compromises in the iPhone Duo
Uses side-button Touch ID instead.
Only main and ultra-wide rear cameras.
No customizable Action button.
eSIM-only connectivity.
Apple had to make some trade-offs to keep the phone thin.
- No Face ID. You unlock the phone with Touch ID, built into the side button.
- No telephoto camera. You get a main and ultra wide camera only.
- No Action button. The customizable side button found on recent iPhones is gone.
- eSIM only. There is no physical SIM tray anywhere in the world.
Apple has also not said how much RAM the phone has. Supply chain reports pointed to 12GB.
iPhone Duo Delivery Dates: Expect a Long Wait
iPhone Duo: Expect a Long Wait
Estimated delivery dates for late preorders
Check your local Apple Store’s online stock each morning. Delivery estimates may vary by storage, color and location.
Dates reflect the estimates reported on October 22, 2026, and may change.
If you did not preorder early, be ready to wait. As of October 22, Apple was quoting delivery dates of January 22, 2027, for the 256GB model in the US and January 25, 2027, in the UK. Dates vary by storage size, color and location.
Earlier reports suggested Apple faced low production yields for the folding screen, which may explain the tight supply. Apple has not confirmed those reports.
The best chance to get one soon is to check your local Apple Store’s stock online each morning, since stores receive new shipments regularly.
What Early Reviews Say
The first iPhone Duo reviews are mostly positive about the hardware. Reviewers praised the hinge, the quality of the displays and the overall build.
The main complaint is app support. Some third-party apps do not yet fill the inner screen properly and show black bars on the sides. That should improve as developers update their apps.
Battery life drew mixed comments. CNET found that the phone lasted through a busy day, while The Verge questioned whether it could keep up with heavy users from morning to night.
iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold 8
US Foldable Phone Prices
Starting prices · USD
UK Foldable Phone Prices
Starting prices · GBP
Note: Prices are based on the figures provided in this comparison. Verify current pricing before publication.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the Duo’s main rival. Here is how the prices compare.
| Phone | US starting price | UK starting price |
| iPhone Duo | $1,999 | £1,999 |
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 | $1,899.99 | £1,699 |
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | $2,099.99 | £1,899 |
The regular Galaxy Z Fold 8 is cheaper in both countries, especially in the UK, where it costs £300 less. The Fold 8 Ultra costs more than the iPhone Duo in the US but less in the UK.
Samsung has years of experience with foldables and wider app support for split screens. Apple’s advantages are its titanium design, iOS, and tight links with other Apple devices such as the Mac, Apple Watch and AirPods.
Should You Buy It?
The Duo is a first-generation product, and it is priced like one. It makes the most sense for people who already use Apple devices, want a bigger screen without carrying a tablet, and are happy to pay for the newest technology.
If you rely on zoom photography, want Face ID, or prefer to wait until app support improves, it may be worth holding off for a second version. Most first-generation Apple products get noticeably better in their second year.
For everyone else, Apple’s next launch is only days away. The company will hold an event on October 28, where it is expected to show new Macs and an updated iPad mini. We will cover the news as it happens.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the iPhone Duo release date?
The phone goes on sale on October 23, 2026, in more than 70 countries, including the US and UK. Another 28 countries follow on October 30.
How much does the iPhone Duo cost?
It starts at $1,999 in the US and £1,999 in the UK for 256GB. The 2TB model costs $3,199 or £3,199.
Is the iPhone Duo the same as the iPhone Fold?
Yes. Before launch, most reports called it the iPhone Fold. Apple’s official name is iPhone Duo.
What chip does Apple’s foldable iPhone use?
It uses Apple’s A20 Pro chip, built on a 2nm process, the same chip family as the iPhone 18 Pro.
Does the foldable iPhone have Face ID?
No. It uses Touch ID built into the side button.
How long does the battery last?
Apple says up to 24 hours of typical use and up to 44 hours of video on the outer screen.
When will new orders be delivered?
New orders placed this week show delivery dates in late January 2027 in both the US and UK, though this varies by model.
Is the iPhone Duo waterproof?
It has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
Sources: Apple, Macworld, Tech Advisor, 9to5Mac, CNET, The Verge
