iPhone Duo: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone this year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but all the signs are that Apple will debut its first foldable device at its "Surprise and Shine" on Wednesday, September 9.

Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far. Apple will allegedly call the device the "‌iPhone‌ Duo," according to the latest from well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman.

Overall Design

Book-Style

Apple's foldable iPhone will be similar in style to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8, which uses a book-style folding mechanism and a wide aspect ratio, so the device will be shaped like a passport. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the foldable ‌iPhone‌ to measure between 9 and 9.5 mm when folded, and around 4.5 to 4.8 mm when unfolded. More recently, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital has said that the foldable iPhone will have a thickness of at least 4.8mm. The leaker has also claimed that the volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the right, similar to the iPad mini, while the power button and Camera Control continue to be located on the right edge of the device, just like other recent iPhones. The back left of the device is also said to feature an ‌iPhone‌ Air-style camera plateau.

Display

Dual Screens

When folded, users will interact with a 5.5-inch outer display that is similar to a typical iPhone screen, while unfolding it will reveal a larger 7.8-inch iPad-style screen. These dimensions have been corroborated by two reputable sources. However, a more recent report by The Information claims that the device will have a 5.3-inch front screen and a 7.7-inch inner display. According to one rumor, the inner folding display will be approximately the size of a piece of A6 paper and will use a 2,713 x 1,920 resolution, while the outer display will use a 2,088 x 1,422 resolution. Apple is reportedly evaluating a tougher display film technology for its foldable, with the use of a transparent polyimide film as a protective layer that would sit on top of the ultra-thin glass.

Crease Visibility

'Crease-Free'

The inner display is said to be almost crease-free, thanks to Apple's use of a metal plate that can disperse and control the stress generated by bending the display, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple is said to be using liquid metal in the hinges to improve durability and help eliminate screen creasing. Liquid metal, manufactured using a die-casting process, has been chosen by Apple to address this common issue with foldable devices, according to the analyst. Citing supply chain sources, Chinese site UDN says that Apple has solved "the crease problem" where it becomes more perceptible over time – something that has plagued most foldable smartphones.

Chassis and Hinge

Durable Materials

The foldable iPhone reportedly has a titanium chassis, with the hinge constructed from a combination of titanium and stainless steel, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The frame itself will use a titanium alloy to prevent bending issues – a solution that has worked well for Apple's new ultra-thin iPhone Air. However, analyst Jeff Pu believes that Apple is using aluminum and titanium, whereas Kuo believes a mix of stainless steel and titanium has been chosen.

Cameras

Front and Rear

The iPhone Duo is expected to include a dual-lens rear camera featuring Wide and Ultra-Wide lenses, with a front-facing camera for both folded and unfolded states, according to Kuo. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated reports that the device will have four cameras consisting of one front camera, one inner camera, and two rear cameras. Prolific Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claims that the rear dual lenses will be 48 megapixels each. Other sources have claimed that the inner display features an under-screen camera (USC), while the outer display – in the device's folded state – will have a punch-hole camera. A more recent report by The Information claims that the outer display's camera will be located in the top-left corner of the screen.

Authentication

Touch ID

Kuo believes the phone will forgo Face ID authentication, and instead use a Touch ID side button as a means to save precious internal space, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated the rumor. Apple has previously integrated Touch ID into the side button of the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini.

Cellular Connectivity

C2 Modem

The foldable iPhone will use Apple's second-generation C2 modem for cellular connectivity, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple debuted its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e last year, followed by the C1X featured in the iPhone Air, as part of a multi-year plan to transition away from Qualcomm modems. Gurman says the foldable device will not have a physical SIM slot.

Battery Life

High-Density Cells

The device is allegedly features the biggest battery ever used in an ‌iPhone‌. Apple is also putting a heavy focus on improving power efficiency by slimming down key components like the display driver to make room for more battery cells, according to a Korean blog that has leaked accurate details about unreleased products before. The phone will reportedly use high-density battery cells. Expect the C2 modem to be faster overall, but it's worth noting that Apple may opt to use a Qualcomm modem in the United States so as to offer mmWave support. Further power efficiency improvements are likely too.

Color Options

Black and White

Apple has tested variations of black and white for the folding phone with suppliers, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, but his most recent update is that Apple has settled on white and dark blue as its color options.

Pricing

Premium Segment

Multiple reports have suggested the foldable iPhone will be priced between $2,000 and $2,500 in the United States, which could make it the most expensive iPhone ever. In the latest pre-event update, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has said the iPhone Duo will start at $2,000 for 256 GB of storage and max out at around $3,000.

Launch Date

Late 2026

We are expecting Apple to unveil the iPhone Duo at its "Surprise and Shine" event on September 9, but an exact launch date is currently unknown. The most recent word on the matter from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is that the device will "go on sale as early as October," suggesting it will be released after the iPhone 18 Pro models become available.