Apple has introduced a new foldable phone named Duo, marking a significant change in its flagship product lineup. The Duo resembles a passport in size and shape with rounded edges and unfolds into a wide horizontal screen that can also be used vertically. When closed, a smaller single screen is visible on the front. Apple claims it is their thinnest phone when unfolded.
The Duo comes with a hefty price tag, starting at $2,999 as per Apple’s official announcement. In the U.S., the starting price is $1,999, equivalent to approximately $2,760 in Canadian dollars based on current exchange rates. The reason for the price disparity between the U.S. and Canada is not immediately clear, and inquiries have been made to Apple for clarification.
Pre-orders for the Duo will commence on October 17, and the phone is set to be available for purchase on October 23.
Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, described the iPhone Duo as a groundbreaking innovation, showcasing a new design and seamless user experiences that combine hardware and software integration. Ternus highlighted the shortcomings of existing foldable phones, emphasizing that the Duo was engineered to deliver an iPad-like experience in a compact device through a custom hinge, dual displays with consistent aspect ratios, and a titanium body.
The product launch event, led by Ternus, marks a notable evolution of Apple’s flagship device since the removal of the physical home button on the iPhone X in 2017. The iPhone remains a significant revenue driver for Apple, contributing over half of the company’s sales in the last fiscal year.
In addition to unveiling the iPhone Duo, Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max models, emphasizing their renowned line of non-foldable handsets. The pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max starts at $1,749 and $1,899, respectively.
Furthermore, Apple announced a new feature to combat concerns surrounding AI-generated and manipulated images, introducing the “Apple Reference Image” standard to verify the authenticity of images captured with the new iPhone 18 Pro cameras. The company also revealed updates to the AirPods lineup, including noise cancellation features and enhanced functionalities like wireless charging and on-stem volume control.
Apple also showcased the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, highlighting significant health-focused enhancements. Ternus, who previously served as Apple’s hardware chief, will play a pivotal role in convincing consumers of the value proposition of a foldable device priced at around $3,000, setting a new benchmark for a brand synonymous with mass luxury products.