It was neither an Ultra nor a Fold. Apple unveiled its first-ever foldable iPhone, the 'iPhone Duo.' The starting price for the base 256GB model is 3.29 million won.
Apple unveiled its foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, during an Apple Event held on local time September 9. Hosted by new CEO John Ternus at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, the event showcased products including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
Captivating the most attention among them was the iPhone Duo, revealed at the very end. The foldable iPhone, which had been widely expected to release under the name iPhone Ultra, was unveiled under the name Duo.
The defining feature of the iPhone Duo is its display. When folded, it maintains the thinnest profile of any iPhone to date, while unfolding reveals the largest display ever on an iPhone. The inner display measures 19.3 cm, offering a screen nearly 50% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
As previously leaked, it features a passport-like form factor wider than existing iPhones, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold8. The outer display measures 13.6 cm, with both inner and outer displays utilizing Super Retina XDR panels. Apple added that it equipped an under-display FaceTime camera on the inner screen that activates only when needed, creating an uninterrupted viewing surface free from visual distractions.
Camera-exclusive features newly added include Smart Capture and Duo Preview. Smart Capture automatically detects when all subjects are ready and trips the shutter. Duo Preview utilizes both screens to help frame shots more accurately.
On the hardware side, the camera setup features a 48MP dual Fusion system alongside a 12MP Center Stage front camera. However, the telephoto lens and variable aperture supported on the iPhone 18 Pro are absent from the iPhone Duo. Video recording supports up to 4K resolution at 120 frames per second.
In terms of performance, it uses the same A20 Pro chip as the iPhone 18 Pro series. For the battery, it introduces a dual-battery system for the first time in an iPhone, and the device is designed exclusively for eSIM, removing the physical SIM slot.
The frame is made of titanium, finished in titanium down to the hinge cover. While there is no dedicated Action button, the Camera Control button—allowing quick access to photo and video tools—has been retained.
Beyond this, software and connectivity features such as Siri AI, Apple Intelligence, parental safety controls, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 5G, and eSIM are supported identically to the iPhone 18 Pro series.
The aspect receiving the most attention was pricing. During the event, Apple announced official pricing starting at $1,999 for the base 256GB model. In Korea, it is priced at 3.29 million won.
Korean pricing stands at 3.29 million won for 256GB, 3.59 million won for 512GB, 4.19 million won for 1TB, and 5.09 million won for 2TB. Contrary to initial speculation, however, it will not launch exclusively in the U.S. first. Pre-orders will open on October 16 at 9:00 PM, with the official launch set for October 23.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively for the 256GB model, marking a $100 increase over their predecessors. In Korea, starting prices begin at 1.99 million won and 2.19 million won.
The iPhone Duo will be released in two colors, Star White and Night Sky, while the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will come in four colors: Burgundy, Glacier, Silver, and Black.
