Apple iPhone has finally entered the foldable phone race. The iPhone Duo is here, and it comes just days after John Ternus became CEO. The move is more than a new phone. It gives Apple a fresh start under new leadership.
A new Apple iPhone takes centre stage
As reported by The Guardian, Apple has come up with the iPhone Duo, the very first folding iPhone from Apple as well as a major upgrade to iPhone ever since its introduction in 2007. The phone opens like a passport and becomes a much larger screen for work, games and videos. The Duo starts at $1,999 and will be available from October 23. When closed, it has a 5.4-inch outer screen. When opened, that grows to a 7.6-inch inner screen. This makes it the largest iPhone display yet.
As reported by Apple’s official website, The Duo is the slimmest iPhone when opened up. The body of the phone has been made with titanium. The inner screen has a special finish that helps cut glare and makes the fold less visible. The phone also comes with the new A20 Pro chip, they also have added a two-part battery system and new heat control to help it handle heavy use. The device also supports Apple Pencil through USB-C later this year.
Ternus faces his first big test
The timing of the launch matters. John Ternus became Apple’s CEO on September 1 after taking over from Tim Cook. The Duo is his first major product launch in the top job. Ternus was expected to use the event to show what the next phase of Apple could look like. The foldable phone was seen as the biggest change to the firm’s main product in years and a major test for the new boss.
The product also arrives after years of work on foldable phones by rivals. Samsung and other businesses have been selling such devices since the late 2010s. Apple waited much longer before entering the market. Apple has now revealed a foldable phone with a starting price of about $2,000. The Duo also brings new software features. Apple has changed iOS 27 to suit the larger screen and added more tools for working across apps.
Can the Apple Duo change the market?
The foldable market is still much smaller than the normal phone market. That makes this launch a big gamble. Apple enters late, but it has one major advantage. A huge base of iPhone users already knows and trusts the brand. That means the Duo must do more than attract attention. It needs to convince buyers that folding a phone is worth the high price.
The company has also launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, along with new Apple Watch and AirPods models. Still, the Duo was the clear star of the event. For Ternus, the next test will be simple. Can Apple’s first foldable phone make the new shape feel normal? If it can, the Duo may become more than a new product. It could set the tone for the next chapter of the iPhone.
Author’s Opinion
The Duo feels like a bold move at the right time. Apple is late to foldables, but it can still make the format easier for normal buyers. Ternus could not have asked for a clearer first test.
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