ApApple has entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo. Many people search for it as the “iPhone 18 foldable,” but Apple’s official name is iPhone Duo. The device has a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch folding inner display, runs on the A20 Pro chip, and has a 48MP Fusion camera system with Touch ID built into the side button. In India, it starts at ₹2,99,900 for 256GB and goes up to ₹4,49,900 for 2TB.
Table of Contents
What Is the iPhone Duo?
The iPhone 18 foldable, officially the iPhone Duo, is Apple’s first foldable iPhone. Closed, it has a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR outer display. Open, it provides a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR folding OLED display with a nano-texture finish.
Apple says the Duo is its thinnest iPhone when opened, at 5.2mm. Folded, it measures 11.3mm and weighs 254 grams. The device uses a titanium foldable design, Ceramic Shield 2 on the front and an IP68 rating for splash, water and dust resistance.
The inner display supports ProMotion up to 120Hz, Always-On functionality and up to 3,000 nits of outdoor peak brightness. Apple says the nano-texture surface reduces glare and makes the crease less visible.
iPhone Duo Price in India
Apple lists four storage options in India:
- 256GB: ₹2,99,900
- 512GB: ₹3,24,900
- 1TB: ₹3,74,900
- 2TB: ₹4,49,900
Apple unveiled the device and its India pricing in September, and PTI’s report from the unveiling confirms the October 23 availability. Apple Store EMI figures start at about ₹48,817 a month for the 256GB model and ₹73,817 a month for the 2TB model. Actual payment terms depend on eligibility, card and offer conditions.
For context, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900 in India. The entry-level Duo therefore costs ₹1,35,000 more than the entry-level iPhone 18 Pro.
Display and Foldable Design
The main reason to consider the iPhone 18 foldable is its two-screen design. The 5.4-inch outer display suits conventional phone use, while the 7.6-inch inner display offers a much larger workspace for video, gaming, documents and multitasking.
Apple has redesigned iOS 27 for the foldable form. The interface adapts as the device opens and closes, and the inner screen supports Split View for two apps side by side. Users can also open two windows of the same app, such as Safari, and save pairs of apps for quicker access.
The inner screen includes an under-display FaceTime camera. Authentication uses Touch ID built into the side button rather than Face ID.
Performance and Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 18 foldable uses the A20 Pro chip, the same processor family as the iPhone 18 Pro models. Apple says it is built on a 2-nanometre process and includes a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU with Neural Accelerators and a dual 16-core Neural Engine.
Apple says the Duo delivers up to 35% better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro, with the CPU up to 20% faster than the A19 Pro and the GPU up to 40% faster. These are Apple’s own claims, not independent benchmark results.
Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI are part of the experience. Apple says on-device processing is combined with Private Cloud Compute for tasks that need cloud processing.
Battery Life and Charging
The foldable design uses two lithium-ion batteries, one on each side of the device. Apple rates the Duo for up to 44 hours of video playback on the outer display and up to 31 hours on the inner display, and up to 24 hours of typical use with both displays in use equally.
With a 60W-capable adapter or higher and a USB-C cable, Apple says the Duo reaches 50% charge in about 20 minutes. With a 35W adapter or higher and a MagSafe charger, it reaches 50% in about 30 minutes.
Camera System
The iPhone 18 foldable has a 48MP Fusion Main camera and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera. The main camera provides an optical-quality 2x telephoto option, and it supports 24MP and 48MP photos, sensor-shift optical image stabilisation and digital zoom of up to 10x for photos.
The ultra-wide camera supports macro photography. The phone also has a 12MP Center Stage front camera on the outer display and an under-display FaceTime camera on the inner screen.
The Duo does not have the dedicated long-range telephoto lens of the iPhone 18 Pro models. Buyers who prioritise long-distance optical zoom may still prefer the Pro lineup.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: The Alternative
The iPhone Duo prioritises a foldable large-screen experience, while the iPhone 18 Pro uses a conventional flagship design. The Pro and Pro Max start at ₹1,64,900 and ₹1,79,900 in India respectively.
Both Pro models use the A20 Pro chip. They add a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera and a 48MP Fusion Telephoto camera, along with an 18MP Center Stage front camera.
For buyers who value camera versatility, battery life and a traditional phone shape more than a large folding screen, the Pro Max may be the more practical premium choice.
Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 and AirPods 5
Apple Watch Series 12 starts at ₹56,900 in India. It introduces a new Health Sensing System, higher-frequency heart-rate and HRV measurements, a readiness score and new Audio Intelligence features.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at ₹1,09,900 and uses the S11 chip. It adds the Health Sensing System and longer battery life for outdoor workouts.
AirPods 5 start at ₹14,900 in India, or ₹17,900 with the Wireless Charging Case. They bring Active Noise Cancellation to Apple’s open-ear design, along with Live Translation and Siri AI features.
Is the iPhone Duo Worth ₹2,99,900?
For the iPhone 18 foldable, the answer depends on whether the foldable format is worth a substantial premium. The entry-level Duo costs ₹2,99,900, while the iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900.
The Duo makes the strongest case if you specifically want a 7.6-inch display in a device that folds into a smaller phone-like form, along with Apple’s ecosystem and foldable-specific iOS features.
The iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max is the more straightforward choice for buyers who prioritise camera flexibility, a conventional design and a lower starting price. The Duo is not simply a more expensive iPhone 18 Pro. It is a different form factor with different strengths and compromises.
Key Facts and Availability
- Official name: iPhone Duo. “iPhone 18 foldable” is a common search term, not the product name.
- Pre-orders in India: from 5:30 PM IST on October 16, 2026, as Business Today reported on the pre-order launch.
- Sales in India: from October 23, 2026.
- Colours: Star White and Night Sky.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the iPhone 18 foldable called? Apple calls its first foldable iPhone the iPhone Duo. “iPhone 18 foldable” is a useful search term, but it is not the official name.
How much does the iPhone Duo cost in India? It starts at ₹2,99,900 for 256GB. The 512GB, 1TB and 2TB versions cost ₹3,24,900, ₹3,74,900 and ₹4,49,900.
Does the iPhone Duo have Face ID? No. It uses Touch ID through a fingerprint sensor built into the side button.
Does the iPhone Duo have a telephoto camera? It has no separate long-range telephoto lens like the iPhone 18 Pro, but its 48MP Fusion Main camera provides an optical-quality 2x telephoto option.
How thin is the iPhone Duo? It is 5.2mm thick when open and 11.3mm thick when folded. Apple lists its weight at 254 grams.
How long does the iPhone Duo battery last? Apple rates it for up to 44 hours of video playback on the outer display and up to 31 hours on the inner display.
When will the iPhone Duo be available in India? Pre-orders opened on October 16, 2026, and sales began on October 23, 2026.
Conclusion
The iPhone 18 foldable is a major change to Apple’s lineup, combining a conventional outer display with a 7.6-inch folding screen. Its A20 Pro performance, dual 48MP cameras, Touch ID and foldable-specific iOS 27 features make it a serious flagship rather than an experiment.
At ₹2,99,900, it is also a highly premium purchase. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max offer a lower entry price and more conventional camera hardware. For buyers who need the larger folding screen, the Duo is Apple’s first serious entry into the foldable market.
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