The wait is over. Apple has officially unveiled its first foldable iPhone during its “Surprise and shine” event. As it turns out, the most recent leak has turned out to be accurate where, rather than being called the Fold or Ultra, the company’s first foldable smartphone is officially known as the iPhone Duo.
Rather than traditional foldable smartphone design, the iPhone Duo sports a “passport” form factor, much like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8. Its 7.6-inch inner display is designed to work comfortably in both portrait and landscape orientations, while the 5.4-inch outer display and larger inner panel transition seamlessly between each other, with controls kept consistently positioned so users do not have to relearn where they are when switching screens. The Duo comes in Star White and Night Sky colour options.
Titanium Frame, Touch ID, Apple Pencil Support, A20 Chip, And Battery Life
The foldable uses a titanium frame to provide additional strength while keeping its weight down, alongside a custom hinge with a torque profile designed to close securely and sit flat when opened. The hinge itself contains more than 100 components, while the outer display can enter standby mode even when the phone is not charging to show a clock and other information.
The larger inner display also enables split-view multitasking, allowing users to run two different apps side by side or even use multiple instances of the same app, such as Safari. Apple Pencil support works on both displays, while Touch ID is integrated into the side button for unlocking, with Apple Watch also supported as an alternative unlocking method.
Under the hood, the iPhone Duo is powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip and C2 modem. It has two batteries, one on each side of the foldable, with Apple claiming up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display, 44 hours using the outer display alone, or up to 24 hours when both displays are used equally.
Dual 48MP Rear Cameras, But No Aperture Control Or Telephoto
The iPhone Duo features a 48MP Fusion Main camera alongside a 48MP Fusion Ultrawide camera, with the latter also doubling as a macro shooter. The main camera supports what Apple calls “2X optical quality” by using its high-resolution sensor for tighter shots, but there is no dedicated telephoto lens.
That means the Duo may not be the best choice for users who prioritise long-range photography, particularly those who regularly shoot concerts, wildlife or other distant subjects. While the 48MP main sensor can produce relatively sharp digitally cropped images, it cannot match the versatility and image quality of a dedicated telephoto camera as the zoom level increases.
Apple has nevertheless added several camera features designed specifically around the Duo’s folding form factor. Its rear cameras can shoot 4K video at 120fps and 4K Dolby Vision HDR time-lapses, while the phone can be propped up on its own for hands-free photography and video without needing a tripod.
The outer display can also serve as a preview when using the rear cameras for higher-resolution selfies. Duo Preview lets subjects see how they are framed before a shot is taken, while Smart Take helps ensure everyone is ready before capturing a photo and Kid Cue uses animations to encourage children to look towards the camera.
For video calls, Duo FaceTime allows people around the phone to join a call through the outer display, reducing the need for everyone to crowd around the inner screen. There is also a Center Stage front camera, while the FaceTime camera hidden beneath the inner display only appears when it is needed.
A New Siri For The Foldable
The iPhone Duo also arrives with the next generation of Apple Intelligence and an all-new Siri, which will roll out in beta with iOS 27. Apple says the new Siri is more personal, capable and conversational, with the larger inner display providing more room for interacting with its AI features.
Siri can use personal context to find information across messages, emails, photos and other content, while onscreen awareness allows it to take actions based on what is currently displayed. Users can also ask questions on virtually any topic or describe what they want to write and have Siri assist with the task.
A new Siri app provides access to previous conversations and new chats, with conversational history synced privately across Apple devices through iCloud. Apple Intelligence also brings features such as Spatial Reframing, Extend and an upgraded Clean Up for photos, alongside a more photorealistic Image Playground.
Other additions include Notify Me in Safari, which can monitor webpages for changes such as product restocks and price drops. Apple says Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute to keep personal information protected when cloud processing is required.
Pricing And Availability
In Malaysia, the iPhone Duo starts at RM9,499 for the 256GB model, rising to RM10,499 for 512GB and RM12,499 for 1TB. The new 2TB option, meanwhile, commands an eye-watering RM15,499 price tag. According to Apple, pre-orders will open at 8pm MYT on 16 October, with the iPhone Duo becoming available in Malaysia from 23 October.
(Source: Apple official website [1] [2])
@lowyatnet Apple’s first foldable smartphone has finally arrived. The iPhone Duo, as it is officially called, will be available to pre-order in Malaysia starting 8pm on 16 October 2026 with prices starting from RM9,499. It is then expected to arrive locally from 23 October onwards. #Apple #AppleDuo #AppleFoldable
