It was neither Ultra nor Fold. Apple has officially unveiled the 'iPhone Duo', the brand's first foldable iPhone. The base 256GB model starts at 3.29 million won.
Apple unveiled its foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, during an Apple Event held on the 9th local time. Hosted by new CEO John Ternus at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, the event revealed the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and more.
Among them, the most eye-catching was the iPhone Duo, unveiled at the very end. The foldable iPhone, which many had expected to be released under the name iPhone Ultra, was revealed under the name Duo.
The defining feature of the iPhone Duo is undoubtedly its screen. While maintaining the thinnest profile of any iPhone when folded, it boasts the largest display when unfolded. The main internal display measures 19.3 cm, offering a screen nearly 50% larger than that of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
As previously leaked, its form factor is wider horizontally than existing iPhones, similar to a passport or devices like the Galaxy Z Fold8. The cover display measures 13.6 cm, with both internal and external displays utilizing Super Retina XDR panels. Furthermore, Apple stated that it embedded an under-display FaceTime camera in the main screen that activates only when needed, delivering a viewing surface free of visual distractions.
New camera-exclusive features include Smart Capture and Duo Preview. Smart Capture automatically detects when all subjects are ready and triggers the shutter. Duo Preview utilizes both screens to help users frame their shots more accurately.
On the hardware front, the camera setup features a 48MP Dual Fusion system alongside a 12MP Center Stage front camera. However, the telephoto lens and variable aperture supported by the iPhone 18 Pro are absent on the iPhone Duo. For video, it supports recording at 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 battery life, it introduces a dual-battery system for the first time in an iPhone, and eliminates the physical SIM slot in favor of an eSIM-only design.
The frame is crafted from titanium, with the hinge cover also finished in titanium. While there is no dedicated Action button, the Camera Control button—which allows quick access to photo and video tools—has been retained.
In addition, software and connectivity features such as Siri AI, Apple Intelligence, parental controls, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 5G, and eSIM are supported identically to the iPhone 18 Pro series.
The most anticipated aspect was the pricing. At the event, Apple announced official pricing starting at $1,999 for the base 256GB model. In South 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 US first. Pre-orders start on October 16 at 9 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 for 256GB respectively, representing a $100 price increase compared to their predecessors. In South Korea, prices start at 1.99 million won and 2.19 million won.
The iPhone Duo comes in two colors: Star White and Night Sky. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are available in four colors: Burgundy, Glacier, Silver, and Black.
