Apple · iPhone
iPhone Duo: Release Date, Price and What to Expect
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is one week away. The iPhone Duo opens for pre-order next Friday, and it isn’t cheap.
When you can get it
Apple announced the iPhone Duo at its September 9 event, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Pre-orders open Friday, October 16 (5 a.m. Pacific, according to MacRumors) in more than 70 countries, and it hits stores Friday, October 23.
iPhone Duo launch timeline
- Sep 9Announced at Apple’s event
- Oct 16Pre-orders open, 5 a.m. PT
- Oct 23In stores and first deliveries
- Oct 3028 more countries and regions
MacRumors expects initial stock to be limited, so if you want one on day one, be ready when pre-orders open.
How much the iPhone Duo costs
Tom’s Guide calls it the most expensive iPhone Apple sells. For comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.
| Storage | US price |
|---|---|
| 256GB | $1,999 |
| 512GB | $2,199 |
| 1TB | $2,599 |
| 2TB | $3,199 |
What you get
Open, it’s the thinnest iPhone ever, beating the iPhone Air. It runs on the A20 Pro chip, has two 48MP cameras (main and ultra-wide), two batteries and IP68 water resistance.
What it’s missing
A few things got cut to make it fold. There’s no Face ID (Touch ID lives in the side button instead), no telephoto camera and no Action Button.
So, is there a crease?
“The crease is still there, but barely.”
Early hands-ons agree it’s far less visible than on other foldables. TechRadar says you can feel it but not see it. The big unknown is time: Engadget points out nobody knows yet how it will look after months of folding. Apple says the screen’s top layer is replaceable, and 9to5Mac reports that swap costs $19 with AppleCare.
My take
I’m already deep in Apple stuff with my Watch Ultra, so I get the hype. But $2,000 for Apple’s first try at a foldable is a lot.
I’d wait for the real reviews and see how that crease looks after a few months. Gen two is usually the one to get.
FAQ
When can I pre-order the iPhone Duo?
Pre-orders open Friday, October 16, at 5 a.m. Pacific. It goes on sale Friday, October 23.
How much does the iPhone Duo cost?
It starts at $1,999 for 256GB. The 512GB model is $2,199, 1TB is $2,599 and 2TB is $3,199 in the US.
Does the iPhone Duo have Face ID?
No. It uses Touch ID in the side button, which works whether the phone is open or closed.
Is the iPhone Duo crease visible?
Barely, according to early hands-ons. It’s much less noticeable than on other foldables, but how it holds up over time is still unknown.
Sources