Apple's First Foldable iPhone Wins Press for $1,999

Thu Sep 10 2026 21:12:16 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Apple launches its iPhone Duo, a folding phone priced at $1,999 that could change the smartphone game.

Apple has revealed its first folding iPhone, the iPhone Duo, at a launch price of $1,999. Led by new chief executive John Ternus, the phone promises a smoother folding experience than current competitors. The device merges a small iPad‑style screen with a wider iPhone display when closed. While foldables are a tiny fraction of the market, analysts predict Apple could push sales to 4% of the smartphone market over the next decade. Meanwhile, Apple also announced a new AI‑powered Siri integrated into the iPhone and Watch.

Apple’s iPhone Duo: The First Foldable iPhone

Apple has just debuted its most expensive phone ever – the iPhone Duo, a foldable smartphone that starts at $1,999 (about £1,999). It marks the first major design shift in almost 20 years and is led by new CEO John Ternus.

What’s New?

Unfolds into a small iPad‑sized display and, when folded, behaves like a regular iPhone.

Designed to feel familiar – similar in size to a passport and easy to hold with one hand.

Apple’s AI, called Siri AI, will run “on-device” for privacy‑first features, translating calls, messaging, and more.

Target market: Samsung and Huawei already dominate the foldable segment; Apple aims to capture up to 4% of overall smartphone sales by 2030.

Why It Matters

The foldable phone keeps Apple’s iPhone line fresh, tackling criticism that recent releases have felt incremental. Analysts say the new AI capabilities could bring Apple’s foldable to the level of a next‑generation Apple Watch, which already sells millions a year.

Ternus emphasized that the iPhone Duo is “entirely new yet remarkably familiar,” and that Apple will keep user data private, with on‑device AI and secure cloud backups for any outside processing.

Takeaways

While only a small portion of phones are foldables today, Apple’s entry might drive broader adoption. The next decade could see the market rise from 2% to 4% with Apple on board. Plus, the integrated AI aims to turn the iPhone Duo into a versatile “personal hub.”