Apple has introduced the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the new A20 Pro processor.
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 with 256GB of storage and will be available for preorder on October 16, 2026, ahead of wider availability on October 23. Apple will offer the foldable in Star White and Night Sky finishes, with storage configurations reaching up to 2TB.
The same A20 Pro chip also powers the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, which start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively.
iPhone Duo becomes Apple's first foldable
The iPhone Duo introduces a new form factor to Apple's smartphone lineup while retaining the company's existing iOS ecosystem.
Apple has optimized iOS 27 for the larger folding display, with multitasking features designed around the expanded screen area. The device also supports Apple's broader AI and health features.
| Model | Starting price | Starting storage | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone Duo | $1,999 | 256GB | Apple's first foldable iPhone |
| iPhone 18 Pro | $1,199 | 256GB | 6.3 inch display |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | $1,299 | 256GB | 6.9 inch display |
| iPhone Duo 2TB | $3,199 | 2TB | Highest storage configuration |
Apple is also introducing an Apple Upgrade program that lets customers lease devices for periods ranging from 12 to 24 months.
The company is offering trade in discounts of up to $1,200 for eligible iPhone 14 and newer devices, although the actual value will depend on the model and condition.
iPhone 18 Pro models focus on battery and sustained performance
Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro can provide up to 24 hours of battery life, while the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max is rated for up to 36 hours.
Both phones also receive upgraded cooling hardware based on a vapor chamber design.
Combined with the A20 Pro processor, Apple claims the new thermal system can deliver sustained performance improvements of 40% or more compared with previous iPhones.
These figures are manufacturer claims and will depend on workload, temperature, and power conditions in practical use.
Apple also emphasized computational photography and AI assisted camera features across the new Pro models.
Some video segments in the company's launch presentation were reportedly recorded using the iPhone 18 Pro camera.
A20 Pro moves to a 2nm process
The A20 Pro is built using a 2nm architecture and combines a six core CPU, seven core GPU, and two eight core Neural Engines.
Its CPU uses two high performance cores and four efficiency cores.
Apple says the new performance cores are around 20% faster than those in the A19 Pro, while the seven core GPU is estimated to provide around 40% higher performance than the previous generation.
| A20 Pro component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing process | 2nm |
| CPU | 6 cores |
| CPU layout | 2 performance, 4 efficiency |
| GPU | 7 cores |
| Neural Engines | Two 8 core units |
| Claimed CPU uplift | Up to 20% on performance cores |
| Claimed GPU uplift | Around 40% |
The chip is designed to support heavier local AI workloads as Apple expands Apple Intelligence and Siri features throughout iOS 27.
iOS 27 expands AI across the system
Apple is integrating AI features more deeply across iOS 27, including photography, health, image generation, and Siri.
Camera features can expand images and reframe photos using AI processing, while onboard image generation is also supported.
Health features can work with imported medical records and synchronize information across supported Apple devices.
The iPhone Duo receives additional interface changes designed for its larger folding screen, allowing Apple to use the extra display area for more flexible multitasking.
Apple also updates AirPods and Apple Watch
The event included several additional hardware announcements.
AirPods 5 start at $129 and are claimed to offer 50% better active noise cancellation.
Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, while Apple Watch Ultra 4 costs $799. Both use the new S11 chip and Apple's updated Health Sensing System.
Apple claims the new watches improve heart rate sensing accuracy, although independent testing will be needed to assess those improvements.
The iPhone Duo remains the biggest change to Apple's phone lineup this year, while the A20 Pro provides the common hardware foundation for Apple's foldable and its latest Pro models.
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