Apple finally entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo. The tech giant rolled out the device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at its September 2026 event.
The launch gives buyers two very different interpretations of a premium iPhone. The Duo focuses on a new form factor, while the 18 Pro sticks to the traditional smartphone design and improves the core iPhone experience.
The iPhone Duo opens into a 7.6-inch inner display and carries a 5.4-inch outer screen. Apple claims that it's the thinnest iPhone ever when unfolded. Its nano-texture inner display is designed to reduce glare and make the crease less noticeable.
The foldable also supports multitasking and Apple Pencil input. Apple has paired it with the A20 Pro chip and a redesigned iOS experience built around the larger screen. However, the new design comes at a steep cost. In India, the iPhone Duo starts at Rs. 2,99,900 for 256GB and goes up to Rs. 4,44,900 for the 2TB version.
The iPhone 18 Pro takes a more conventional approach. It starts at Rs.1,64,900 in India, making it significantly cheaper than the Duo. The Pro model features the A20 Pro chip and a 48MP Fusion main camera with variable aperture.
The iPhone Duo is aimed at buyers who want something genuinely different and are willing to pay for it. Its large foldable display and new design make it Apple's most experimental iPhone yet.
For most consumers, however, the iPhone 18 Pro looks like the more sensible purchase. It delivers flagship performance, advanced cameras, and strong battery life at almost half the starting price of the Duo in India.
Also Read: iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold 8: Apple’s Crease-Free Display Explained