Apple's First Folding Phone Costs $1,999 and Almost Disappears When Open

Keypoints:

• Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, on September 9
• It opens to a 7.6-inch display and closes to 5.4 inches, with a nearly invisible crease
• The phone runs Apple's new A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process, a first for any smartphone
• It uses Touch ID instead of Face ID and a new C2 modem, reducing reliance on Qualcomm
• Pricing starts at $1,999, with a broader fall lineup including the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

Apple introduced its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, at a September 9 event, unveiled by new CEO John Ternus in his first major product debut. Opened, it carries a 7.6-inch inner display, Apple's thinnest iPhone ever, with a nano-texture finish designed to cut glare. Closed, the outer display measures 5.4 inches, built around a titanium and aluminum frame and what Apple describes as a nearly invisible crease.

"For a device that plays such a central role in your life, a larger display would open up entirely new possibilities," Ternus said, framing the fold as the most practical path to a bigger screen without a bigger phone. 

Powering it is the new A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer manufacturing process, the first time that transistor density has shipped in any smartphone. Apple paired it with a new chip package inspired by its M-series Mac silicon, connected to a custom vapor chamber for cooling during heavier workloads like gaming and on-device AI processing.

A few choices stand out as departures from Apple's usual playbook. The Duo uses Touch ID instead of Face ID, a rare reversal for a modern iPhone, and ships with Apple's own C2 modem, continuing the company's push to reduce its dependence on Qualcomm for cellular connectivity. 

Pricing starts at $1,999, positioning it as a halo device alongside the more conventional iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launching in the same lineup, with the Duo itself expected to reach customers in October.