Apple Unveils iPhone Duo, First Foldable Smartphone, at $2,000 Starting Price Under CEO John Ternus
Apple introduced its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, priced from $2,000 to $3,200. New CEO John Ternus led the event and also announced the iPhone 18 Pro lineup starting at $1,199.
Apple launched its first foldable smartphone on Wednesday, naming it the iPhone Duo. The device features a book-style design that folds closed to resemble an iPad and opens wide for larger viewing. It starts at $2,000 for models with smaller storage and reaches up to $3,200 for the largest capacity option. This product marks a significant shift in Apple's hardware strategy, joining competitors like Samsung and Google in the foldable market.
The announcement took place during an annual keynote led by new Chief Executive John Ternus, who has been managing the company since replacing Tim Cook earlier this year. Alongside the Duo, Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. The base model for the standard 18 line starts at $1,199, while the 18 Pro Max begins at $1,299. Analysts note that price hikes on the Pro lines of up to $200 are expected due to rising memory and storage costs driven by global chip demand.
Industry observers caution that foldable phones currently hold a small market share with known durability risks such as screen creases. However, internal testing suggested these new designs offer improved hinge engineering to reduce visible wear. The event also introduced an updated Siri AI and the AirPod 5.
