Apple introduced a new foldable phone named Duo on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in its flagship product. The Duo, designed to resemble a passport with rounded edges, unfolds into a wide horizontal screen that can also be used vertically. When folded, there is a smaller single screen on the front. Apple claims it to be its thinnest phone when open. The starting price for the Duo is $2,999 globally, while in the U.S., it begins at $1,999, equivalent to around $2,760 in Canadian dollars based on current exchange rates. Pre-orders for the device will commence on October 17, and it will be available for purchase from October 23.
Apple’s CEO, John Ternus, described the iPhone Duo as a groundbreaking innovation, heralding a new era in iPhone design and user experience. He emphasized that the device aims to provide an iPad-like experience in a pocket-sized form factor, addressing the shortcomings of existing foldable phones with a custom hinge, dual displays featuring a consistent aspect ratio, and a titanium body.
The launch event, Apple’s most substantial overhaul since removing the physical home button from the iPhone X in 2017, showcased Ternus in his new leadership role. Former CEO Tim Cook passed the baton to Ternus in a video introduction, highlighting the company’s confidence in the new CEO’s vision and direction.
In addition to the Duo, Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max models, the latest iterations of its flagship line. These models, which do not fold, are priced starting at $1,749 and $1,899, respectively. Apple also introduced innovative features to address concerns about AI-generated images, including the “Apple Reference Image” standard to verify image authenticity and support for the SynthID standard for identifying AI-created or manipulated images.
Furthermore, the iPhone 18 Pro will be powered by the new A20 Pro chip, enhancing the device’s ability to run advanced AI models directly on the device. Apple also revealed new versions of AirPods, starting at $179 with noise cancellation and a $209 variant with additional features like wireless charging and on-stem volume control.
The company also showcased the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, positioning them as significant health-oriented upgrades. Ternus, who previously led Apple’s hardware division, is now tasked with convincing consumers of the value proposition of a foldable device priced at around $3,000, setting a new benchmark in luxury tech offerings.