Apple officially unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, during an event led by its new CEO, John Ternus. The announcement, delivered under the “one more thing” formula, aims to repeat the impact of the company’s most memorable launches.
The Duo combines two screens: a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display, with a form factor closer to a traditional laptop than to the elongated foldables of its competitors. According to Apple, this improves the experience when watching videos, reading documents, and working with multiple apps.
The device features the A20 Pro chip, a more powerful graphics engine, a 48-megapixel main camera, and a dual-battery system that offers up to 31 hours of video on the inner screen. Its hinge, with more than one hundred components, allows for an almost invisible crease.
Apple emphasizes that the Duo can be used in three ways: as a phone when folded, as a tablet when unfolded, and as a small laptop when half-opened, with a touch keyboard on the lower half. This makes it an attractive tool for executives, frequent travelers, and professionals who need mobile productivity.
The operating system allows information to move between screens, run apps side by side, and use optimized versions of tools like Slack or Zoom. It also includes a night mode that works as a clock and alarm.
However, not everything is positive. The Duo sacrifices the iPhone Pro’s third camera, replaces FaceID with TouchID on the power button, and only supports e-SIM. Additionally, its starting price of $1,999 places it at the level of a MacBook Pro.
Even so, Apple is betting that the convenience of carrying a foldable iPad in your pocket will convince users willing to pay for innovation. The launch also hints at a possible future strategy for the company toward more versatile hybrid devices.
With the iPhone Duo, Apple is not only entering the foldable market: it is also trying to define what a truly portable productivity device should be.
ForAllTechNews
Photos credit: Screenshot Apple website