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. 

Samsung’s latest foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold8, brings a redesigned form factor along with upgraded display technology, performance, camera capabilities and AI-powered features. The device was unveiled at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in July and is positioned as a foldable designed for users who consume content, multitask and create content on the go.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 adopts a shorter and wider design compared with previous generations. Samsung says the new shape is intended to make everyday use more comfortable, including one-handed operation, while providing a more immersive experience when the phone is unfolded.

Wider Cover Screen for Everyday Use

The Galaxy Z Fold8 features a 10:16 cover screen, which Samsung says is suited to messaging, web browsing and short-form video. The wider layout is designed to make common smartphone activities more comfortable without requiring users to open the device.

When unfolded, the phone offers a 4:3 main screen designed for larger-format content such as movies, e-books and other media. The main display also features anti-reflection technology and can reach up to 3,000 nits of brightness, helping improve visibility in different lighting conditions.

The two-screen approach allows users to choose between a conventional smartphone-style experience and a larger display depending on the task.

4,800mAh Battery and Snapdragon Chip

Samsung has equipped the Galaxy Z Fold8 with a 4,800mAh battery. According to the company, the device can deliver up to 26 hours of continuous video playback, although actual battery life will vary depending on usage, settings and network conditions.

Performance is handled by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy platform. The processor combines a next-generation CPU, GPU and NPU, with Samsung highlighting improvements in processing performance, graphics and on-device artificial intelligence capabilities.

The NPU is particularly important for the phone's AI features, while the GPU is designed to provide smoother visuals during activities such as video playback and gaming.

50MP Cameras for Content Creation

Camera capabilities are another major focus of the Galaxy Z Fold8. Samsung highlights its 50MP front Wide and Ultra-Wide cameras, designed to provide users with greater flexibility when capturing photos and videos.

The company is positioning the device as a tool for content creators as well as consumers who want to document everyday moments without carrying a separate camera.

The foldable form factor also provides additional flexibility when composing and reviewing content on the larger internal display.

My FanCam Uses AI Tracking

One of the camera-related features highlighted by Samsung is My FanCam. The feature allows users to transform a wide-angle recording into a subject-focused shot directly from the Gallery.

Users can select a person within the footage and adjust the crop and aspect ratio for sharing. Samsung says advanced tracking technology keeps the selected person naturally centred as they move through the frame.

Galaxy AI then assists with preparing the resulting clip for the selected sharing format, reducing the need for additional editing software.

Built Around Multitasking and AI

Beyond its hardware changes, Samsung is also promoting the Galaxy Z Fold8 as a device designed around multitasking and artificial intelligence. The larger internal display provides more space for working across applications, consuming content and editing media.

The combination of the redesigned screens, Snapdragon processing platform and AI capabilities is intended to make the Fold8 useful for both productivity and entertainment.

With the Galaxy Z Fold8, Samsung is continuing to push foldable smartphones beyond the conventional phone-and-tablet concept, focusing on a form factor that changes depending on how users interact with the device.

In an era where smartphones have become an extension of human life, an unexpected trend is quietly gathering momentum. A growing number of Gen Z users—the generation that grew up with smartphones, social media and constant connectivity—are switching to low-tech flip phones. It may appear like a nostalgic fashion statement, but the movement reflects something much deeper: a conscious attempt to reclaim attention, improve mental well-being and escape the endless cycle of digital distraction.

Ironically, the generation most comfortable with technology is now questioning whether it has become too dependent on it.

The Smartphone Paradox

Modern smartphones have transformed how people communicate, work and entertain themselves. Yet the convenience comes with hidden costs. Endless notifications, infinite scrolling, algorithm-driven content and the pressure to remain constantly available have blurred the boundaries between online and offline life.

Many Gen Z users now admit they spend six to ten hours daily looking at screens—not because they need to, but because platforms are designed to keep them engaged. What begins as a quick glance at social media often turns into hours of scrolling through short videos, memes and endless recommendations.

The result is growing concern over reduced attention spans, sleep disruption, digital fatigue and declining face-to-face interactions.

The Rise of Digital Minimalism

The renewed interest in flip phones is closely tied to the philosophy of digital minimalism. Unlike smartphones, flip phones offer only essential functions such as calling, texting and, in some models, basic internet access.

Without Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or endless notifications competing for attention, users often find themselves becoming more present in everyday life. Reading books, exercising, spending time outdoors or simply having uninterrupted conversations become easier when the device in one's pocket no longer demands constant engagement.

For many young users, owning a flip phone is less about rejecting technology and more about using it intentionally.

Mental Health Takes Priority

Growing awareness of mental health has significantly influenced Gen Z's technology choices. Numerous studies have linked excessive social media usage with anxiety, stress, loneliness and lower self-esteem, particularly among adolescents and young adults.

While smartphones are not solely responsible for these issues, many users believe reducing screen exposure helps improve sleep quality, concentration and emotional well-being.

Flip phones have therefore become symbolic—not of technological regression, but of healthier digital boundaries.

A Rebellion Against Constant Connectivity

Interestingly, adopting a flip phone has also become a subtle form of rebellion against the expectation of being permanently available.

Today's workplace, educational institutions and social circles often expect immediate responses to messages and emails. Many Gen Z users say this constant availability creates pressure and prevents genuine relaxation.

By using simpler devices, they regain control over when and how they communicate, rather than allowing notifications to dictate their daily routine.

Nostalgia Meets Sustainability

The resurgence of flip phones is also being driven by nostalgia and environmental awareness. Retro designs appeal to younger consumers who appreciate vintage aesthetics, while simpler phones generally last longer, consume less power and reduce electronic waste.

Instead of replacing expensive smartphones every few years, some users are embracing durable devices that perform only the functions they actually need.

Not a Solution for Everyone

Despite its growing popularity, switching to a flip phone is not practical for everyone. Banking, digital payments, navigation, authentication apps, healthcare services and workplace communication increasingly rely on smartphones.

For professionals, students and entrepreneurs, completely abandoning smartphones may be unrealistic.

The real lesson, therefore, is not that everyone should buy a flip phone. Rather, the trend highlights a broader desire to establish a healthier relationship with technology.

Many users are instead choosing intermediate solutions—disabling notifications, setting screen-time limits, deleting addictive apps or scheduling regular "digital detox" periods.

Technology Should Serve Humans

The popularity of flip phones sends an important message to technology companies as well. Consumers are beginning to value products that promote well-being rather than maximize engagement. Features supporting mindful technology use, healthier screen habits and user control may become increasingly important in future device design.

Ultimately, the flip phone revival is less about returning to the past and more about correcting the excesses of the present.

The Bottom Line

Gen Z's shift toward low-tech phones may seem surprising, but it reflects a growing awareness that more technology does not always mean a better quality of life. In a world dominated by notifications, algorithms and endless scrolling, choosing simplicity has become an act of self-care.

The flip phone is unlikely to replace the smartphone. However, its resurgence reminds us that the most valuable form of connectivity may not be with our devices—but with the people and experiences around us.