At Apple’s “surprise and shine” event, the company’s first foldable iPhone is undoubtedly the most anticipated device on the agenda. After years of rumors, it’s finally here, and as expected it’s called the iPhone Duo.
Like most competitors, the first foldable iPhone uses a smaller outer screen when closed before opening up to a larger internal screen. The idea is that this expanded real estate allows for better multitasking and media consumption. Of course, it wouldn’t be an iPhone without a focus on camera performance, and that’s once again a key aspect of the Duo. In addition, the Apple Pencil is also included.
Apple says the iPhone Duo is about the size of a passport when closed, opening to the largest iPhone screen ever. And the company promises that the inner display can be used comfortably in both portrait and landscape mode. The hinge mechanism has a custom torque profile and its design allows it to both close securely and lie flat when opened. Additionally, the hinge alone is made up of over 100 components. A titanium frame is used on the Duo for its added strength, and was also necessary to help reduce the weight of a small device like this. When you open the iPhone Duo, the screens easily change from smaller to larger screens, but the controls are still located so you don’t have to search for them.
The exterior screen measures 5.4 inches while the interior panel measures 7.6 inches. This larger screen allows you to multitask in split view, either with multiple instances of the same app (like Safari) or with two separate apps. You can use the Apple Pencil on either screen, which should be great for notes and similar productivity tasks. The outer display can also go into sleep mode even when not charging, so you can see a clock or other information at any time. Touch ID is built into the phone’s side unlock button, right under your thumb. You can also unlock the phone with your Apple Watch.
Inside, the iPhone Duo is powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip and the company’s C2 modem. There are two batteries, one on each side, which Apple says will give you 31 hours of video with the interior screen and up to 44 hours with the exterior display only. You should manage up to 24 hours of use when both screens are used equally, the company says.
A 48-megapixel Dual Fusion camera system sits on the exterior, consisting of 48 MP main and ultra-wide cameras. The main module is equipped with 12 MP 2x optical telephoto capabilities and both can take “ultra-high resolution photos” at 24 MP and 48 MP. You can expect 4K/120 video on the main camera and 4K time lapse in 4K Dolby Vision HDR. On the front, there is a 12 MP Center Stage front camera and a 1080p FaceTime camera sits under the interior display. This indoor camera only appears when you need it.
There are plenty of Duo-specific camera tools, like Smart Take, which ensures everyone poses before taking a photo. You can use the high-resolution rear cameras to take selfies with a convenient preview on the exterior screen. Duo Preview will give your subject a preview on the exterior screen and Kid Cue will play helpful animations to encourage youngsters to look in the right direction. Finally, Duo FaceTime lets people with you join a video call using the outside screen so they don’t have to crowd around the same screen.
The iPhone Duo will be available in two colors: Night Sky and Star White. Pricing starts at $1,999 for the 256GB model and you can pre-order it starting October 16. The Duo will be available in 70 countries on October 23.
Updated 4:28 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to correct some camera information. We regret the initial error in our report.
