Apple's first foldable phone is official. The iPhone Duo was announced on September 9, 2026, and it starts at $1,999, making it the most expensive mainstream iPhone Apple has ever sold. Pre-orders open on October 16, 2026, and the phone goes on sale October 23. This guide collects every confirmed detail on price, release date, and specifications in one place, along with a clear list of what Apple has not told us yet.
Key takeaways
- Apple's announced starting price is $1,999 for 256GB. MacRumors reports $2,199 (512GB), $2,599 (1TB), and $3,199 (2TB); Apple has not listed per-tier prices.
- Pre-orders begin October 16, 2026. The iPhone Duo goes on sale October 23, 2026.
- Confirmed specs: 7.6-inch inner display, 5.4-inch cover display, A20 Pro chip, Apple C2 modem, 48MP Dual Fusion cameras, IP68, grade 5 titanium in Star White or Night Sky, and iOS 27 out of the box.
- Apple Pencil support is expected later in 2026, not at launch.
- Still unknown: battery size, Apple-confirmed prices for the 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB models, carrier promo pricing, and trade-in values.
- The main rival is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 at $1,899, which undercuts the Duo by $100 at the base tier.
iPhone Duo price
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for the 256GB model. That is the entry point, there is no cheaper configuration, and it is the only price Apple has announced. For the larger storage options, MacRumors reports $2,199 for 512GB, $2,599 for 1TB, and $3,199 for 2TB. Apple's announcement lists the capacities but not their prices, so treat those figures as reported until Apple's store shows them when pre-orders open on October 16.
For context, the $1,999 starting price puts the Duo $100 above its most direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, which starts at $1,899. Foldables have always carried a premium over slab phones, and Apple is pricing the Duo accordingly. Whether that premium holds up will depend on how the Duo performs in real use, especially camera quality and battery life, which are the two areas where buyers at this price tend to be least forgiving.
Release date: pre-orders and on sale
Apple is following its familiar playbook. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo open on October 16, 2026, exactly one week before the phone goes on sale on October 23, 2026. That one-week gap is standard for Apple launches: it lets the company gauge demand and gives early buyers a guaranteed launch-day device.
If you want an iPhone Duo on October 23, order during the pre-order window. Foldables are complex devices to manufacture, and first-wave stock for brand-new form factors has a habit of selling through fast. Waiting until release day to walk into a store is a gamble, particularly for the higher storage tiers, which are usually produced in smaller quantities. Our iPhone Duo pre-order guide covers where to buy and how to prepare.
Confirmed specs at a glance
Here is everything Apple has officially confirmed about the iPhone Duo so far:
- Inner display: 7.6 inches (unfolded), with a nano-texture finish
- Cover display: 5.4 inches (folded)
- Body: grade 5 titanium, in Star White or Night Sky
- Water and dust resistance: IP68
- Chip: Apple A20 Pro
- Modem: Apple C2
- Cameras: 48MP Dual Fusion rear system (48MP Fusion Main and 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide), 12MP Center Stage front camera, and an under-display FaceTime camera
- Software: ships with iOS 27.1
- Apple Pencil: support expected later in 2026
Apple's product page has now filled in most of the spec sheet. The 7.6-inch inner display puts it in the same class as Samsung's Fold lineup, the titanium body and IP68 rating signal a premium, durable build, and the A20 Pro chip paired with Apple's own C2 modem means the Duo is fully on Apple silicon for both compute and connectivity. For what each spec means in practice, see our full iPhone Duo specs breakdown.
What Apple has not confirmed yet
The unknowns list is much shorter now, but what is left still matters at $1,999. Here is what is still TBC:
- Battery: no mAh capacity has been announced, but Apple publishes rated hours: up to 44 hours video playback (outer display), 31 hours (inner display), 37/26 hours streamed, and 24 hours typical use.
- Storage tier prices: Apple has announced only the $1,999 starting price; reported figures for 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB are not Apple-confirmed.
- Weight: 254 grams (8.96 ounces), per Apple's technical specifications. Full folded/unfolded dimensions: not yet published.
- Carrier deals: no promo pricing from carriers has been announced.
- Trade-in values: Apple has not said what your current phone is worth toward a Duo.
Until Apple confirms these, treat every number attached to them as a rumor. This page will be updated as official details land.
iPhone Duo vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the obvious comparison, and it starts at $1,899, a full $100 less than the Duo's base price. Samsung has an eight-generation head start on foldable hardware, which means Apple is asking buyers to pay more for a first-generation product. Apple's counterargument is the usual one: tighter hardware and software integration, the A20 Pro chip, and iOS 27 with Split View for two apps side by side. Our full iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold 8 comparison walks through the differences in detail.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the iPhone Duo cost?
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for the 256GB model, the only price Apple has announced. MacRumors reports the other tiers at $2,199 for 512GB, $2,599 for 1TB, and $3,199 for 2TB, but Apple's own announcement does not list per-tier prices.
When can I buy the iPhone Duo?
Pre-orders open on October 16, 2026, and the iPhone Duo goes on sale October 23, 2026. If you want one on launch day, plan to order during the pre-order window, since first-wave foldable stock has historically sold through quickly.
What chip does the iPhone Duo use?
The iPhone Duo runs on Apple's A20 Pro chip and includes the Apple C2 modem for cellular connectivity. It ships with iOS 27.1, including Split View, which Apple confirmed lets you open two apps side by side on iPhone for the first time.
How big is the iPhone Duo display?
Apple has confirmed a 7.6-inch inner display for the unfolded iPhone Duo and a 5.4-inch cover display for when it is folded. Both support ProMotion and reach 3000 nits of peak outdoor brightness.
Does the iPhone Duo support Apple Pencil?
Yes, with Apple Pencil with USB-C. Apple says support arrives later this year, not at launch, and works on either display for notes, sketches, and marking up documents. The exact date is still unconfirmed.
Sources
- Apple September 9, 2026 announcement ($1,999 starting price, dates, and confirmed specifications)
- MacRumors, "iPhone Duo: Pre-Orders and Release Date," September 28, 2026 (reported 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB prices)
- iPhone Duo specs page (this site, updated as Apple confirms details)
- Image: Apple.