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The iPhone Duo is Apple's answer to the foldable smartphone. In this article, you'll learn how the foldable design works. Explore the iPhone Duo specs, including the camera, display, Apple Intelligence features and more, to find out whether the iPhone Duo suits you. The information on this page is based on advice from MediaMarkt specialists.
The iPhone Duo will be released on 23 October 2026. You can pre-order the foldable iPhone from 16 October.
Here’s the iPhone Duo at a glance:
The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable smartphone. Use it closed as a compact iPhone with a 5.4-inch display, then unfold it for the larger 7.6-inch display. This gives you more space for watching videos, gaming and typing, while also offering new ways to multitask, take photos and make video calls compared with a standard iPhone.
Here’s what makes the iPhone Duo unique:
The iPhone Duo has 2 displays. When folded, you use the 5.4-inch outer display just like a regular iPhone. Its compact size makes it easy to use with one hand while offering more than 90% of the screen space of the iPhone 18 Pro. Unfold the iPhone Duo and you get a spacious 7.6-inch inner display. This is the largest iPhone display to date, giving you more room to work in multiple apps at once, play games and watch videos. Both the inner and outer displays are Super Retina XDR displays with ProMotion up to 120 Hz and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. This keeps motion and animations smooth and the display easy to read outdoors in bright light.
The 2 displays can also work together. With Duo Preview, the person you're photographing can immediately see how they're framed on the outer display while you control the camera from the other display. During Duo FaceTime, someone next to you can use the outer display to follow and join the call. On the large inner display, Split View lets you open 2 apps side by side, or even 2 windows from the same app. This means less switching between apps when comparing information or working on different tasks at the same time.
The iPhone Duo display at a glance:
Touch ID returns to the iPhone with the iPhone Duo. The last iPhone with Touch ID was the 3rd-generation iPhone SE from 2022. On the iPhone Duo, the fingerprint sensor is built into the side button, making it easy to use whether the phone is folded or unfolded. Place your finger on the button to unlock your iPhone or confirm your identity. If you're wearing an unlocked Apple Watch, you can also use it to unlock the iPhone Duo without using Touch ID or your passcode.
The iPhone Duo is the first iPhone with a dual-battery system, with a battery on each side of the device working together as one. You get up to 24 hours of use when using the inner and outer displays equally. The inner display offers up to 31 hours of video playback, while the outer display offers up to 44 hours. With fast charging, the battery charges to 50% in 20 minutes. With MagSafe or a Qi2 charger, you can charge wirelessly to 50% in 30 minutes.
The iPhone Duo has the same A20 Pro chip as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The 6-core CPU is up to 20% faster than the A19 Pro, while the 7-core GPU is up to 40% faster. This lets you run demanding apps more smoothly than on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The dual 16-core Neural Engine also delivers twice the processing power for AI tasks, including Apple Intelligence.
The iPhone Duo is available with the following storage capacities:
With iOS 27, the iPhone Duo offers several AI features for editing photos, automating tasks and browsing more efficiently in Safari. For example, Clean Up lets you remove distracting objects from a photo, while Extend uses AI to generate content beyond the original edges of the image. During a phone call, Conversation Context can automatically show relevant information from other apps, such as details from an email that you need at that moment. With Shortcuts, you can also simply describe what you want to automate and Apple Intelligence does the rest.
The iPhone Duo has 2 rear cameras: a Fusion Main camera and a Fusion Ultra Wide camera. The 48 MP main camera captures sharp photos, while the built-in 2x telephoto lets you get closer to your subject while retaining as much detail as possible. The Ultra Wide camera captures a wider view and supports macro photography for close-ups of very small subjects.
The foldable design also gives you new ways to use the camera. You can take selfies with the 48 MP rear cameras while seeing yourself on the outer display. With Duo Preview, the person you're photographing can see how they're framed on the outer display. You can also place the iPhone Duo half-open on a surface to take photos or videos without a tripod.
For video, the Fusion Main camera supports recording in 4K at up to 120 fps with Dolby Vision. You can adjust the playback speed of slow-motion recordings after filming and apply Cinematic effects to videos at up to 60 fps.
The iPhone Duo supports MagSafe, so you can magnetically attach compatible chargers and Apple accessories to the back. Apple has also developed 2 cases specifically for the foldable model: the iPhone Duo Case and iPhone Duo Folio. The Folio has a built-in stand that lets you position the iPhone Duo at different angles, for example to watch films or make hands-free video calls. Both accessories support MagSafe. You can also use your AirPods, such as AirPods 5 or AirPods Pro 3, with the iPhone Duo. The new iPhone is also compatible with Apple Watches, including the Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4.
Later in 2026, the iPhone Duo will also support the Apple Pencil with USB-C. You can use it on both the inner and outer displays to take notes, draw or navigate.
The iPhone Duo is particularly useful if you want the features of an iPhone combined with a larger display for easier multitasking, reading and viewing content. When folded, you use it as a compact smartphone with a 5.4-inch display, while unfolding it gives you 7.6 inches of screen space. Split View lets you comfortably m 2 apps side by side. The camera also takes advantage of the foldable design, for example by letting you take selfies with the 48 MP rear cameras while seeing yourself on the outer display. The iPhone Duo also features the A20 Pro chip for fast processing of apps and AI tasks, Touch ID for quick and secure unlocking, and will support Apple Pencil.
