Apple expected to unveil foldable iPhone Duo starting at $2,000

Apple is launching its first foldable smartphone under the banner of Surprise and Shine, but the device arrives with a concrete technical sacrifice. The iPhone Duo is reportedly too thin to house the camera hardware required for facial recognition, forcing Apple to strip away Face ID in favor of Touch ID for biometric security, according to The Guardian.

The release marks the first major test for John Ternus, who assumed the role of CEO on 1 September. While his predecessor, Tim Cook, was noted by Yahoo Finance for prioritizing financial growth over new product categories—with the Apple Watch being a rare exception—Ternus is under immediate pressure to expand Apple's hardware footprint. In a first-day letter to employees, Ternus expressed excitement for products already in the works and the ones we haven’t even imagined.

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The Engineering of the Duo

Apple began testing folding displays in early 2021, though The Guardian reports there were no immediate launch plans at that time. To combat the durability issues and the visible screen crease that have hindered foldable adoption, Apple developed a titanium and aluminum hinge paired with custom cover glass.

The hardware follows a passport-style design. It features a 5.5-inch outer display for closed use and a 7.8-inch inner OLED panel. This larger screen enables tablet-style multitasking and the ability to run applications side-by-side. According to The Apple Post, this model will also support the Apple Pencil, marking the first time the stylus has been compatible with any iPhone.

Component Shortages and the $3,000 Ceiling

The iPhone Duo’s pricing departs sharply from traditional iPhone tiers. It will start at $2,000 for 256GB of storage. According to Smartprix and Yahoo Finance, this is partly due to a severe memory-chip shortage that pushed component costs above Apple's original targets.

Apple is reportedly absorbing some of these costs to maintain the $2,000 entry point. However, the company is passing the remaining costs to consumers opting for higher storage, with 2TB models expected to cost roughly $3,000.

This positioning places the Duo above the base prices of the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold ($1,899) and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 ($1,899), though it remains below the $2,099.99 price of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

This pricing shift is part of a broader trend. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are also expected to see $100 price increases in the US. To soften this cost, Apple introduced the Apple Upgrade leasing program in the US, which allows users to pay a monthly fee to swap devices annually.

Market Position and Parallel Updates

The Duo is targeting a niche high-end segment. IDC analyst Nabila Popal, via Analytics Insight, described the device as potentially the Birkin of smartphones in the Chinese market, suggesting its success depends on status rather than utility.

While the Duo introduces the fold, the iPhone 18 Pro models will retain the candy bar design. These models will receive several technical updates, including a revamped vapor chamber to prevent overheating and a smaller Dynamic Island capable of toggling three live tasks simultaneously. Larger Pro models will also include a mechanical aperture for more precise depth-of-field control.

The wider product event also introduces the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, alongside a new Readiness app for tracking heart rate and blood-oxygen levels. While a new low-end AirPods 5 model will launch, high-end AirPods featuring built-in camera sensors have been delayed until next year.

The iPhone Duo will be available in white and dark blue. Its arrival in October will serve as the first real test of whether consumers are willing to pay a luxury premium for Apple's entry into the foldable market.