Gadgets

Apple has introduced iPhone Duo, the company's first foldable phone, marking one of the biggest changes in iPhone design since its introduction.The new device combines an external 5.4‑inch screen with a foldable internal 7.6‑inch screen, which becomes the largest screen ever used in an iPhone. When opened, the iPhone Duo is also the thinnest iPhone ever produced by Apple.Both screens are Super Retina XDR and support ProMotion, Always‑On Display, and a maximum brightness of up to 3,000 nits. Apple has used a special nano‑texture layer on the internal screen to reduce reflections and make the fold line less visible.One of the innovations is the planned support for Apple Pencil with USB‑C, bringing the device closer to some iPad functions. Touch ID is integrated into the side button, while the folding mechanism uses a complex hinge system with over 100 components.A20 Pro and dual batteriesAt the heart of the iPhone Duo is the new A20 Pro chip, the same one used in the iPhone 18 Pro models. Apple has also developed a new thermal system with a vapor chamber and a dual‑battery architecture, with one battery on each side of the phone.According to the company, the device can achieve up to 31 hours of video playback using the internal screen and up to 44 hours with the external screen. Fast charging can bring the battery to around 50 percent in 20 minutes.48 MP camera and new photography modesThe iPhone Duo comes with a primary 48 MP Fusion camera, as well as another 48 MP Ultra Wide camera. The foldable design allows the rear cameras to be used for selfies as well, while the person being photographed can see themselves on the external screen.Apple has also introduced new features that leverage the two screens, including displaying the camera viewfinder on the external screen and using the folded phone as a stand during photography or video calls.iOS 27 is tailored for the foldable phoneApple has redesigned parts of iOS 27 specifically for the iPhone Duo. When the phone is opened, users can work with two apps simultaneously via Split View, even opening two windows of the same app.The interface automatically changes depending on how the phone is held or folded. Apple says its apps are optimized for the new form factor, while developers of other apps can adapt their interface for the large screen.The iPhone Duo also integrates Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, with the new Siri able to use personal context and information displayed on the screen to respond to user requests.Price starts at $1,999The iPhone Duo will be available in the colors Star White and Night Sky, with capacities of 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB.The starting price in the US is $1,999, making it the most expensive iPhone released by Apple to date. Pre‑orders open on October 16, with sales beginning on October 23 in over 70 countries and regions.With the iPhone Duo, Apple enters the foldable‑phone category for the first time, a segment where rivals have been present for years. For the company, the device represents not only a new iPhone form factor but also an effort to combine the phone’s portability with the workspace typically offered by larger‑screen devices.