4. Apple iPhone Duo: the best foldable iPhone
Why we recommend it
The iPhone Duo offers something no other iPhone can: a compact phone that folds out into a 7.6-inch tablet-like device. The larger screen gives you much more space to multitask, watch videos, read, play games and work creatively, while the outer screen keeps it usable as a regular phone when closed. Add in the A20 Pro chip and smart dual-screen features and it’s easily Apple’s most innovative iPhone. Pre-orders opened on October 16, ahead of the October 23 release date.
Buy iPhone Duo if
Buy the iPhone Duo if you want the versatility of an iPhone and a small tablet in a single device, regularly multitask between apps, consume a lot of content on your phone, or simply want Apple’s most distinctive new hardware. It’s particularly attractive if you value screen real estate and flexibility more than having Apple’s best camera system.
Don’t buy iPhone Duo if
Don’t buy the Duo if your priorities are value, photography, or portability. At $1,999/£1,999 it costs $800/£800 more than the iPhone 18 Pro, although it lacks Face ID, a dedicated telephoto camera, variable aperture, ProRes and the Action button. At 254g, it is also the heaviest iPhone in the range. For most buyers, the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max will be a better overall buy.
What do you get that you don’t get with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Duo’s defining advantage is its 7.6-inch foldable display, which offers around 50 percent more screen area than the iPhone 18 Pro Max and supports Split View multitasking, while the 5.4-inch outer display keeps it usable as a compact iPhone when closed. You also get fold-specific features like Duo Preview, Smart Take, Kid Cue, hands-free video positioning, and an internal under-display camera, with support for Apple Pencil USB-C coming later in 2026. The trade-off is photography: the Duo has just two 48MP rear cameras, with no dedicated telephoto lens, variable aperture, ProRes, or Apple Log.
Key specifications
The iPhone Duo transforms from a compact 5.4-inch phone to a 7.6-inch foldable device, providing much more space for apps, videos and multitasking. It combines two 120Hz ProMotion OLED displays with the A20 Pro chip, dual 48MP cameras, long-lasting battery life, and up to 2TB storage.
- Starts in: $1,999 / £1,999 (256GB)
- Screens: 5.4-inch outdoor + 7.6-inch foldable OLED, ProMotion (120Hz)
- Chip: A20 Pro
- Storage: 256GB–2TB
- Cameras: 48 MP main camera + 48 MP ultra wide angle, 12 MP exterior front camera + under-screen interior camera
- Battery: Up to 44 hours of video playback on the external screen; 31 hours on indoor screen
- Authentication: Touch ID
- Weight: 254g
Should you buy or wait?
The iPhone Duo is available for pre-order starting October 16, with delivery and in-store sales starting October 23. At $1,999/£1,999, it’s a substantial investment, particularly for Apple’s first foldable iPhone. If you want to be among the first to own one, pre-ordering makes sense, but we recommend waiting for independent reviews if you’re concerned about battery life, durability, or everyday usability. Black Friday may bring carrier incentives or trade-in offers, although it’s unlikely there will be any substantial discounts so soon after launch.
