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. 

Apple has raised the prices of several existing iPhone models in India after unveiling the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable iPhone Duo. The iPhone 17 now starts at ₹99,900, while the iPhone Air begins at ₹1,49,900.

Apple has made a significant change to its iPhone pricing strategy in India following the launch of its new premium models. Instead of reducing the prices of last-generation devices, the company has increased the prices of several iPhones still available in the market.

The iPhone 17, which originally launched in India at ₹82,900, now starts at ₹99,900 for the 256GB model. That represents a ₹17,000 increase, or roughly 20.5 percent. The price revision comes shortly after Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. 

The iPhone Air has also become considerably more expensive. Its 256GB variant, earlier priced at ₹1,19,900, now starts at ₹1,49,900, a ₹30,000 increase. Apple continues to offer the Air in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage options. 

iPhone 17 Price Jumps to ₹99,900

The iPhone 17 was introduced in September 2025 with a starting price of ₹82,900 for 256GB storage. Apple has now revised the starting price to ₹99,900.

The 512GB version is listed at ₹1,19,900, according to Apple's current India store.

The price increase is particularly notable because Apple traditionally reduces the price of older-generation iPhones after introducing a new flagship generation. This time, however, the company has taken a different approach. 

iPhone Air Gets ₹30,000 More Expensive

Apple's ultra-thin iPhone Air has seen an even larger increase in absolute terms.

The 256GB model now costs ₹1,49,900, compared with its earlier starting price of ₹1,19,900. The 512GB model is priced at ₹1,69,900, while the 1TB variant costs ₹1,89,900.

The iPhone Air features a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, Always-On functionality and Dynamic Island. Apple positions it as its thinnest iPhone, combining a slim design with Pro-level performance. 

iPhone 18 Pro Replaces the Previous Pro Models

Apple's latest premium smartphones are the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The two models were unveiled on September 9 and are powered by the new A20 Pro chip.

In India, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at ₹1,79,900. Pre-orders begin September 12, with sales starting September 18. 

The new Pro models introduce a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, giving users greater control over depth of field, lighting and photography settings.

Apple has also introduced new Pro camera controls, including manual adjustment of aperture, shutter speed and white balance, along with a histogram for exposure monitoring.

First Foldable iPhone Arrives

The biggest change to Apple's iPhone portfolio is the introduction of the iPhone Duo, the company's first foldable smartphone.

The device opens into a 7.6-inch inner display and has a 5.4-inch outer display when folded. Apple says it is the thinnest iPhone when opened and uses a titanium construction with a precision hinge.

The iPhone Duo is powered by the A20 Pro chip and features a dual-battery design, advanced thermal management and a 48MP Fusion camera system.

In India, the foldable iPhone starts at ₹2,99,900. Pre-orders begin October 16, with availability from October 23. 

Apple Has Not Announced the Base iPhone 18

One of the unusual aspects of this year's launch is that Apple did not introduce a standard iPhone 18 model alongside the Pro series.

The September event focused on the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo, leaving the regular iPhone segment without a new iPhone 18 model for now.

As a result, the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air remain important options for customers looking for a non-Pro iPhone from Apple's current lineup. Apple's India store currently lists the iPhone 17, iPhone 17e, iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo. 

What the Price Hike Means for Indian Buyers

The revised pricing changes the value equation for buyers preparing for the festive shopping season.

Customers who expected last-generation iPhones to become cheaper after the latest launch may instead face higher prices. The iPhone 17's increase from ₹82,900 to ₹99,900 is particularly significant, while the iPhone Air has moved up by ₹30,000 at the entry level.

Apple's new lineup therefore spans a much wider premium range, from the ₹79,900 iPhone 17e to the ₹2,99,900 iPhone Duo. 

For consumers, the decision is no longer simply about choosing between the latest and previous generation. With the new pricing structure, buyers will also have to weigh the features of the iPhone 17 and Air against the substantially more expensive iPhone 18 Pro series and the first-generation foldable iPhone Duo.

Global crude oil prices eased back to the level seen just before the US-Iran conflict, bringing some relief to energy markets, even as Indian consumers face fresh price hikes on premium tech products and select semiconductor stocks surge on AI demand.

Benchmark Brent crude settled around $72 per barrel on Thursday — almost the same as $72.29 recorded a day before the conflict began on February 27. The drop comes after the US-Iran agreement and partial lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil exports, which has started improving shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Energy experts, however, cautioned that any relief in domestic petrol and diesel prices may take time. According to energy analyst Narendra Taneja, the fuel currently sold at pumps was refined from expensive crude purchased earlier when rates were much higher. The full benefit of cheaper crude is likely to reflect only around Dussehra, after accounting for inventory lag and losses of oil marketing companies.

In a separate development, Apple has increased prices of its iPad and MacBook lineup in the US by up to $300. In India, the hike is even steeper, with some models becoming up to ₹1 lakh more expensive. The company cited rising costs of memory and storage chips due to massive demand from AI data centres.

Meanwhile, in the global markets, US semiconductor major Micron Technology briefly surpassed Meta Platforms and Tesla in market capitalisation. Driven by strong demand for AI-related memory chips, Micron’s shares jumped sharply, pushing its market value to around $1.37 trillion at one point.

The developments reflect the mixed signals emerging after the Iran conflict — easing energy prices on one side and rising input costs in the tech sector on the other. For Indian consumers, the Apple price increase is likely to dent demand for premium devices in the coming festive season.

Share markets remained closed on Friday. No change was reported in petrol and diesel prices on Thursday either.

The coming weeks will be watched closely for how global crude prices behave and whether oil marketing companies pass on any benefits to consumers. On the tech front, the AI boom continues to reshape valuations, with companies like Micron gaining significantly from the infrastructure buildout.

Further movement in both energy and technology sectors will depend on how quickly supply chains normalise and geopolitical tensions remain under check.