Technology
Apple launches its first foldable iPhone – plus other key reveals from the launch
Key Points
Launching almost two decades since the original iPhone, which subsequently kicked off the smartphone market as we know it today, the new iPhone Duo is Apple’s most significant shake-up in years. About the size of a British passport, it unfolds like a miniature book to reveal a large 7.6-inch inner screen. When closed, it’s shorter and wider than a traditional iPhone, and when opened, it resembles a small iPad and is Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet.
Launching almost two decades since the original iPhone, which subsequently kicked off the smartphone market as we know it today, the new iPhone Duo is Apple’s most significant shake-up in years.
About the size of a British passport, it unfolds like a miniature book to reveal a large 7.6-inch inner screen. When closed, it’s shorter and wider than a traditional iPhone, and when opened, it resembles a small iPad and is Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet.
Special features include side-by-side multitasking, letting you run two apps simultaneously, and support for the Apple Pencil for on-the-go doodling. The phone, like the iPhone 18 Pro models, will rely on Apple’s new iOS 27 software and support Apple Intelligence AI features, which can now be launched via a dedicated Siri app.
A pain point of existing foldable devices is the visible crease on the inside screen, which can become noticeable after multiple opens and closes. Apple says that this screen blemish isn’t as pronounced as other models.
Controversially, the iPhone Duo doesn’t use the facial recognition ‘Face ID’ unlocking system as the company’s other iPhones. Instead, it will only offer fingerprint unlocking via ‘Touch ID’ on the side-mounted power button.
At £1,999, the iPhone Duo is the most expensive folding smartphone yet. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at £1,899, while Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold costs £1,799. You can buy it from October, and it comes in two colours: white and dark blue.
The ‘Duo’ name is a familiar one in the tech industry. Microsoft’s now-discontinued line of folding smartphones was called the Surface Duo, and Google’s video messaging service was once called Google Duo (now Google Meet).
The iPhone 18 Pro is more of the same (but pricier than ever)
Unlike previous Apple launches, the standard iPhone 18 model is due to be revealed at a later date. Reports indicate that it will release early next year.
The Wednesday showcase instead focused on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models. Aside from the price, the only difference between the two versions is size: the Pro has a 6.3-inch screen, while the Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display.
Both phones have a smaller and less intrusive “Dynamic Island” selfie camera cutout at the top of the screen compared to older models. And like the iPhone Duo, they are powered by Apple’s latest A20 Pro chip, which should be up to 40 per cent faster than the previous iPhone 17 Pro.
The biggest change is with the camera system. The main camera now features a “variable aperture”, which allows you to manually adjust the amount of light passing through the lens, much like a regular camera. This means you should get better nighttime images with extra detail and more control.
Apple says that the 18 Pro Max has the longest-lasting battery life of any iPhone to date, thanks to a new internal heat management system, revamped battery design and efficiencies with the new A20 Pro chip. Battery life is quoted at 36 hours for the 18 Pro when playing video, and 45 hours for the 18 Pro Max. It also charges faster, providing 50 per cent charge after just 15 minutes plugged in.
Elsewhere, the colour-matched aluminium and back glass comes in two new colour choices: burgundy and blue, alongside black and silver.