Apple Unveils Its First Foldable iPhone Duo Featuring the A20 Pro Chip and Apple Pencil Support

Apple's 2023 Fall Event

According to НВ — Техно: On September 9, 2023, at 8:00 PM Kyiv time, Apple held its annual September launch event, introducing several new devices including the groundbreaking foldable iPhone Duo, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, the latest AirPods 5, and a new Apple Watch. This event marked John Ternus’s debut as Apple’s CEO, following Tim Cook’s departure on September 1, 2023.

Highlights of the iPhone Duo

The iPhone Duo is Apple’s inaugural foldable smartphone, folding in half for enhanced portability. It comes in two elegant colors: Star White and Night Sky. The frame is crafted from polished titanium, giving it a premium mirror-like finish. The device boasts a 5.4-inch external display and a larger 7.6-inch internal Super Retina XDR screen - making the interior display 50% bigger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max and 80% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro.

The foldable screen’s design uses a multilayer structure incorporating viscoelastic adhesives, carbon fiber plates, and a titanium layer for durability. Its hinge is a precision-engineered assembly of over 100 components, and the device carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Instead of Face ID, the iPhone Duo uses Touch ID integrated into the side button. It supports Apple Pencil, which will become available later in 2023, and is powered by the A20 Pro chip - delivering 35% more performance compared to the iPhone 17 Pro. The new C2 modem offers 50% faster speeds than its predecessor, the C1X, while consuming 15% less power, and supports 5G mmWave technology in the U.S.

Notably, the iPhone Duo eliminates the physical SIM card slot entirely, relying solely on eSIM technology worldwide. It houses two separate batteries managed as a single unit, offering up to 24 hours of typical use, 31 hours of video playback on the internal display, and 44 hours on the external screen. Fast charging provides 50% battery in around 20 minutes, while just 5 minutes of charging yields up to 5 hours of video on the outer display.

The main camera setup includes:

• A 48 MP Fusion sensor
• An additional 48 MP Fusion Ultra Wide lens, identical to that of the iPhone 18 Pro
• A 12 MP external front-facing camera with Center Stage support

The under-display FaceTime camera is integrated beneath the internal screen. New camera features such as Dual Capture, Duo FaceTime, and Smart Take are also supported. Storage options range from 256 GB to 2 TB, with pricing starting at $1999.

Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo will open on October 16, 2023, with sales beginning on October 23, 2023. Before its official announcement, the device was internally known as the iPhone Ultra.

John Ternus remarked during the presentation, “The iPhone Duo is unlike any iPhone you’ve used before. It’s completely new yet surprisingly familiar, roughly the size of your passport.”

Craig Federighi added, “The iPhone Duo is truly the most versatile iPhone we’ve ever created.”

This launch signals Apple’s strategic push into the foldable smartphone market, aiming to compete directly with other manufacturers. The removal of the physical SIM slot highlights a growing trend toward digital SIMs and streamlined device management. Enhanced camera capabilities, improved performance, and Apple Pencil compatibility position the iPhone Duo as a multifunctional device appealing to users who value innovation and sleek design. Anticipation for its release and early consumer reception could significantly influence the smartphone industry in the coming months.

As Apple continues to innovate, the introduction of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max showcases enhanced features and new color options that complement the groundbreaking design of the foldable iPhone Duo. These models also incorporate the powerful A20 Pro chip, further solidifying Apple's commitment to pushing technological boundaries in their smartphone lineup.