Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the release of the iPhone Duo, announced by CEO John P. Ternus on September 9, 2026. The device features a 5.4-inch external display and a 7.6-inch internal screen. It is priced starting at ¥15,999 in China, weighing 254 grams with a thickness of 11.3 mm when closed.
The hardware components for the iPhone Duo are sourced from established industry suppliers. The foldable display is exclusively provided by Samsung, while structural components, including the hinge and ultra-thin glass, are supplied by manufacturers such as Lens Technology and Lingyi iTech, which also serve other major smartphone brands.
Apple’s strategy for the iPhone Duo focuses on software adaptation, leveraging its long-standing 'compact' and 'regular' interface categories. Developers are encouraged to use adaptive layouts rather than creating separate interfaces for different postures. iOS 27 introduces specific APIs, such as onHingeChange, to allow apps to respond to the hinge angle.
Market analysts from TrendForce and Counterpoint project that the iPhone Duo will capture approximately 25% of the global foldable smartphone market in its first year, with estimated sales of 5 million units. This growth is expected to come primarily at the expense of Android-based foldable devices, which currently face fragmentation issues.
Despite the hardware launch, the iPhone Duo lacks certain features found in the iPhone 18 Pro Max, such as a dedicated telephoto lens and Face ID. In mainland China, the device currently supports only eSIM, and the availability of Apple Intelligence remains subject to regulatory approval.
