TechTrending
Apple begins preorders for its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, on October 16. The device starts at $1,999 and features a 7.6-inch inner screen.
Apple will begin accepting preorders for the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, on Friday, October 16. The launch marks Apple's entry into the folding-phone market, a segment dominated by rivals Samsung and Google for several years. The device is priced starting at $1,999, making it one of the company's most expensive smartphones to date.
The iPhone Duo features a book-style foldable design with a 5.4-inch front display and a 7.6-inch foldable inner screen. According to Yahoo Finance, the inner panel uses a nano-texture finish to prevent glare and make the center crease "all but invisible." The device weighs 254g and measures 5.2mm thick when unfolded and 11.3mm when folded, according to a report from MoneyToday.
The phone runs on the A20 Pro chip and includes a vapor chamber cooling system and dual batteries. It supports IP68-rated water and dust resistance. The camera system includes ultra-wide-angle and wide-angle rear cameras, but no telephoto option. An under-display FaceTime camera is hidden beneath the main folding screen.
Software features allow users to run two apps side by side or two windows of the same app simultaneously. A "Standing Mode" lets users position the phone like a tent to watch content or use it as a clock. When unfolded, the front screen can display a preview of the shot for the subject being photographed.
Preorders open at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on October 16 through Apple’s website and the Apple Store app. Customers who wish to use Apple’s "Get Ready" process to pre-configure their orders must do so by 9 p.m. Pacific Time on October 15, according to Gadget Review. This process allows users to select color (star white or night sky), storage capacity (256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB), carrier, and payment details in advance.
The iPhone Duo will be available for purchase on October 23 in more than 70 countries and regions, with additional markets following on October 30. In South Korea, domestic preorders begin at 9 p.m. on October 16, with retail prices ranging from 3.29 million won for the 256GB model to 5.09 million won for the 2TB model, according to MoneyToday.
Foldable phones remain a niche segment. According to market research firm IDC, manufacturers were projected to ship 1.25 billion units in 2025, with foldables expected to make up just 20.6 million of those. Counterpoint Research forecasts that total lifetime units of foldable smartphones will surpass 100 million by the end of 2026.
Apple says it anticipates foldable smartphones will account for roughly 10% of the market by 2029. Market research firms forecast global shipments of the iPhone Duo this year will range from 5 million to 6 million units, a decline compared to the more than 80 million units shipped for the iPhone 17 series in the second half of last year, according to MoneyToday.
Various carriers are offering incentives for the launch. AT&T is offering up to $1,200 in bill credits for eligible trade-ins, while T-Mobile offers up to $1,000 off with a trade-in or by switching to specific plans, according to PCMag. Apple itself offers trade-in values up to $885 for eligible devices.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Meta revised its commercial terms for business accounts on Oct. 16, removing the word 'train' from permitted uses of scraped content. The change follows criticism from legal experts and publisher groups.
TechTrending
Siemens executive board member Cedrik Neike announced a goal to raise factory automation to 70%-80% using AI. The company plans a €500 million expansion of its Erlangen site by 2030.