iPhone Duo Launches as Apple’s First Foldable iPhone: Price in India, Features, Launch Date and iPhone 18 Pro Max Details

Apple has finally entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, at the company’s “Surprise and Shine” event on September 9, 2026. The new device arrives alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, marking one of the biggest changes to Apple’s iPhone lineup in years.

The iPhone Duo price in India starts at ₹2,99,900, while the iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at ₹1,79,900.

The launch was also significant for another reason. It was the first major iPhone event led by Apple CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on September 1.

iPhone Duo Price in India and Availability

The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the US for the 256GB model. Apple will offer the foldable in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage configurations. In India, the starting price is ₹2,99,900.

The iPhone Duo will be available in Star White and Night Sky finishes.

Apple will open pre-orders on October 16, with sales beginning October 23, 2026 in India and several other major markets.

iPhone Duo price at a glance

The iPhone Duo cost makes it Apple’s most expensive iPhone yet, placing the device firmly in the premium foldable category.

iPhone Duo: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone

The biggest attraction of the new Apple Duo phone is its book-style foldable design.

When closed, the device has a 5.4-inch outer display. Opening it reveals a much larger 7.6-inch inner display, giving users a tablet-like canvas for gaming, video, productivity and multitasking. Apple says the outer screen provides 90 percent of the screen area of the iPhone 18 Pro.

Both displays feature ProMotion, Always-On functionality and up to 3,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness. Apple has also added a nano-texture finish to the inner display to reduce reflections and make the crease less noticeable.

The company says the Duo is the thinnest iPhone ever when opened, with a titanium and ceramic-fibre construction designed around a precision hinge.

iPhone Duo Features Touch ID Instead of Face ID

Apple has taken a different approach to biometric authentication on its foldable.

The iPhone Duo uses Touch ID integrated into the side button instead of Face ID. The change allows Apple to save internal space while keeping the foldable design compact.

The device also supports Apple Watch proximity unlocking.

iPhone Duo Gets Dual-App Multitasking

Apple has redesigned iOS 27 specifically for the foldable form factor.

The larger inner display can run applications side by side, making the iPhone 18 Duo more useful for productivity than a conventional iPhone. Interface controls have also been repositioned depending on whether the phone is open or closed.

Apple will additionally bring Apple Pencil support to the iPhone Duo later this year, allowing users to write notes, sketch and mark up documents.

For people searching for an iPhone fold or Apple’s long-awaited foldable iPhone, the Duo represents the company’s answer to foldable devices that have already become established in the Samsung and other Android ecosystems.

A20 Pro Chip Powers iPhone Duo

The iPhone Duo is powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 18 Pro models.

Apple says the chip uses a 2-nanometre manufacturing process and features a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engine. The company claims the iPhone Duo delivers up to 35 percent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro.

The device also features a custom vapor chamber designed to control heat during demanding activities such as gaming, multitasking and on-device AI processing.

Apple has paired the A20 Pro with its new C2 modem, while the N1 networking chip brings Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread connectivity.

iPhone Duo Battery and eSIM Details

Apple has used a dual-battery architecture in the foldable, with batteries positioned across both halves of the device.

The iPhone Duo is also eSIM-only worldwide, meaning there is no physical SIM tray.

Apple says the device can deliver all-day battery life despite its two-display design. The foldable supports fast charging and is designed to maintain performance during intensive workloads.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Also Launched

Alongside the foldable, Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900 in India, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max price in India starts at ₹1,79,900. Both models will be available with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage options.

The iPhone 18 Pro series comes in Black, Silver, Glacier and Burgundy colours.

The Pro models use the A20 Pro chip and bring significant camera, battery and AI upgrades. Apple has introduced a new 48MP Fusion main camera with a variable-aperture system, aimed at improving low-light photography and depth-of-field control.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max India launch date

Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max begin on September 12, with retail availability from September 18 in India.

This means searches such as iPhone 18 Pro launch date in India, iPhone 18 Pro Max launch date, and iPhone 18 Pro Max price in India now have official answers.

Where Is the Standard iPhone 18?

Unlike Apple’s traditional launch strategy, the company did not introduce the standard iPhone 18 alongside the Pro models at this event.

The September event instead focused on the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the new iPhone Duo, with Apple also announcing the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5.

This makes the 2026 launch notably different from previous iPhone generations.

Apple’s New CEO John Ternus Leads the iPhone Launch

The event also marked the beginning of a new era for Apple.

John Ternus led his first major iPhone launch as CEO after taking over from Tim Cook, who became Apple’s executive chairman.

The arrival of the iPhone Duo therefore represents more than a new product category for Apple. It is also the first major flagship product announcement under Ternus.

iPhone Duo vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

For buyers deciding between Apple’s premium models, the biggest difference is the form factor.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max remains a conventional large-screen smartphone, while the iPhone Duo can transform from a compact phone into a 7.6-inch device.

The Pro Max is also substantially cheaper, starting at ₹1,79,900 compared with ₹2,99,900 for the iPhone Duo in India.

The Duo, however, offers the larger foldable display, dual-screen multitasking, Apple Pencil support and a completely new form factor.

iPhone Duo: What Apple Is Betting On

Apple is entering the foldable market several years after competitors such as Samsung established the category.

The company is betting that its combination of hardware, iOS optimisation, Apple Intelligence and ecosystem integration can make foldable phones more mainstream.

The launch also gives Apple a new premium category at a time when the conventional iPhone design has become increasingly familiar.

For consumers searching for the iPhone fold price in India, iPhone 18 fold price in India, or Apple foldable phone, the iPhone Duo is now Apple’s official answer.

iPhone Duo Launch: Key Details

• Product: iPhone Duo
• Category: Foldable iPhone
• Starting US price: $1,999
• Starting India price: ₹2,99,900
• Base storage: 256GB
• Maximum storage: 2TB
• Outer display: 5.4-inch
• Inner display: 7.6-inch
• Processor: A20 Pro
• Biometric authentication: Touch ID
• Colors: Star White, Night Sky
• Pre-orders: October 16, 2026
• Sales: October 23, 2026
• Apple Pencil: Coming later this year
• SIM: eSIM-only

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the iPhone Duo price in India?

The iPhone Duo starts at ₹2,99,900 in India for the base storage configuration.

When will the iPhone Duo launch in India?

The iPhone Duo will be available in India from October 23, 2026, with pre-orders beginning October 16.

What is the iPhone 18 Pro Max price in India?

The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at ₹1,79,900 in India for the 256GB model.

Is iPhone Duo Apple’s first foldable phone?

Yes. Apple has officially described the iPhone Duo as its first foldable iPhone.