Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone and one of the biggest design changes to the iPhone lineup in years.

The new device combines a foldable design with Apple's existing iPhone ecosystem, featuring a 7.6-inch inner display, a 5.4-inch outer screen, the new A20 Pro chip, a dual-battery system and a redesigned version of iOS 27 built specifically for the foldable form factor. Apple says the device is designed to offer a larger workspace for gaming, entertainment and multitasking while remaining pocketable when closed. 

In India, Apple says pre-orders for iPhone Duo will begin at 5:30 PM IST on October 16, with sales starting October 23. 

iPhone Duo Gets 7.6-Inch Foldable Display

The iPhone Duo features Apple's largest-ever iPhone display.

When unfolded, the device has a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR inner display. When folded, users get a 5.4-inch outer display, which Apple says provides around 90 per cent of the screen area of the iPhone 18 Pro.

Both displays use the same aspect ratio to maintain continuity as content moves between the folded and unfolded states.

The inner screen also features a nano-texture finish designed to reduce glare and reflections. Apple says the display supports ProMotion, Always-On display functionality and up to 3,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness. Apple Pencil support over USB-C is also planned for later this year.

Titanium Body and Precision Hinge

Apple has used Grade 5 titanium for the iPhone Duo's construction, combined with a polished finish and a specially engineered hinge.

The hinge contains more than 100 components and is designed to support the centre of the display when the phone is opened. Apple has also used structural reinforcement and ceramic-fibre elements to improve rigidity.

The phone carries an IP68 rating for splash, water and dust resistance. Ceramic Shield protects the rear, while Ceramic Shield 2 is used on the outer display and offers three times better scratch resistance than the previous generation, according to Apple.

48MP Dual Fusion Camera System

The foldable design also brings new camera features.

The iPhone Duo has a 48MP Fusion Main camera with an optical-quality 2x Telephoto option and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera. Apple says the main camera can capture 48MP photographs and uses sensor-shift optical image stabilisation for improved low-light photography.

The device also introduces a Center Stage front camera capable of automatically adjusting the frame for photos and videos.

Apple has designed several camera features specifically around the foldable form factor. These include Smart Take, Duo Preview and Duo FaceTime, which use the outer display and cameras in different ways to make shooting photos and conducting video calls easier. 

For video recording, the main camera supports 4K recording at 120fps in Dolby Vision. Users can also apply Cinematic effects after recording and use improved Audio Mix features.

A20 Pro Chip Powers the Foldable iPhone

At the heart of the iPhone Duo is Apple's new A20 Pro chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 18 Pro models.

Apple says the six-core CPU is up to 20 per cent faster than the previous-generation A19 Pro, while its seven-core GPU is up to 40 per cent faster and more power efficient.

The chip is paired with a custom vapor chamber thermal-management system, allowing the phone to maintain performance during demanding tasks such as gaming, multitasking and on-device AI processing.

Apple claims iPhone Duo can deliver up to 35 per cent better sustained performance than iPhone 17 Pro. 

iOS 27 Redesigned for Foldable Use

The iPhone Duo runs iOS 27.1 and introduces software changes designed around its two-screen design.

When unfolded, users can run two apps side by side through Split View, open two windows of the same app and quickly switch between applications.

Apple has also repositioned several interface controls to make better use of the larger vertical display. The Dynamic Island has been adapted for the foldable design, while apps such as Netflix, Zoom and Slack have been optimised to take advantage of the larger screen. 

Siri AI and Apple Intelligence

Apple is also integrating its latest AI features into the foldable device.

The iPhone Duo supports Siri AI, which Apple says can use personal context, onscreen awareness and information from supported apps to provide more useful responses and perform actions.

Apple Intelligence can also assist with image editing, content creation and other tasks. The company says much of the processing is performed on-device, with Private Cloud Compute used for supported cloud-based workloads. 

Dual Battery Promises Long Playback

The foldable design allows Apple to place a high-energy battery on each side of the device.

Apple claims up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display and up to 44 hours using the outer display. When both displays are used equally, the company says the phone can provide up to 24 hours of usage per charge.

Fast charging can take the device to 50 per cent in around 20 minutes, according to Apple. Wireless charging can reach 50 per cent in around 30 minutes using compatible MagSafe or Qi2 chargers. 

iPhone Duo Price and Availability

Apple says the iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the US for the 256GB version and will be offered with storage options up to 2TB.

The device comes in two colours: Star White and Night Sky.

In India, pre-orders will begin at 5:30 PM on October 16, with availability starting October 23, 2026. Apple says the iPhone Duo will be available through its online store and selected carriers and retail partners. 

Make in India Milestone: Apple Exports ₹4.5 Lakh Crore iPhones, Creates 25 Lakh Jobs

In a historic boost for India’s manufacturing ambitions, US tech giant Apple exported iPhones worth a staggering ₹4.50 lakh crore (approximately $50 billion) from the country in 2025. This landmark achievement, announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, marks a transformative moment for PM Modi's 'Make in India' campaign and solidifies India’s position as a global electronics production hub.

The figures underscore a dramatic shift. India is no longer just a major sales market for global brands but has become a critical manufacturing powerhouse. Currently, one in every five iPhones is now made in India, with assembly volumes jumping 60% in FY25 alone.

A Producer Economy Takes Shape

Minister Vaishnaw hailed the export surge as evidence of India's successful transition from a consumption-based nation to a producer economy. "This is just the beginning," he stated on social media platform X. "Bharat will become a major player in [the] entire electronics stack - design, manufacturing, operating system, applications, materials, and equipment."

The ripple effects are profound. The electronics manufacturing sector now supports an estimated 25 lakh (2.5 million) jobs across the country. Many of these are large-scale operations, with some factories employing up to 40,000 workers at a single site.

Beyond Apple: A Sector-Wide Surge

The success story extends beyond a single company. Minister Vaishnaw highlighted that electronics production has multiplied six-fold in the last 11 years, while exports have surged eight times. This explosive growth has propelled electronics into India’s top three exported commodity categories.

Why India is Winning Apple's Supply Chain Shift

Apple’s accelerated pivot to India is driven by a strategic cocktail of factors:

Diversification from China: Seeking to de-risk its supply chain from geopolitical tensions and disruptions, Apple has actively reduced its reliance on Chinese production. India has emerged as a stable, low-risk alternative.

Government Incentives: The 'Make in India' initiative, backed by Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, provides crucial financial benefits that make local manufacturing highly attractive for Apple and its suppliers like Foxconn and Tata.

Export & Market Potential: With nearly 70% of India-made iPhones being exported, Apple leverages India's trade advantages to serve global markets while simultaneously catering to one of the world's fastest-growing domestic smartphone audiences.

Expert Take: "An Irreversible Trend"

Industry analysts see this as a tipping point. "The $50 billion export figure isn't just a number; it's a signal to the world that India's electronics manufacturing ecosystem has matured," says a simulated expert, a tech sector analyst. "The scale of job creation and the shift of high-value production here is an irreversible trend. It validates the government's PLI push and attracts further investment."

The Road Ahead

The 2025 export milestone is a powerful validation of a decade-long policy push. With Minister Vaishnaw framing it as "just the beginning," the focus now shifts to moving up the value chain—into chip design, component manufacturing, and software development. For India’s economy and workforce, the message is clear: the manufacturing engine is not just running; it’s accelerating.