Apple is preparing to enter the foldable smartphone market with what could become one of the most anticipated launches of 2026. The company is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone during the September 9 Apple Event, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The device has been widely rumored to carry the iPhone Ultra name, although Apple confirmed that its final branding will be iPhone Duo with a book-style design with an external display and a larger internal screen when unfolded.
Apple is expected to introduce its first foldable iPhone at the company’s September event on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. It will be available for pre-order starting 5:00 a.m. PT on Friday, October 16 and its availability will start on Friday, October 23. However, the exact retail release date and availability could vary by market, with some reports pointing to limited initial supplies.
The foldable iPhone is expected to occupy Apple’s ultra-premium segment. Current estimates generally place its starting price above $2,000, with some reports forecasting a range of roughly $2,000 to $2,500. At the Apple Event on September 9, the company announced that the device will start at $1,999 and be available on October 23, 2026.
Rumors point to a book-style folding design, allowing the device to function as a conventional smartphone when closed and provide a much larger display when opened. Reports have also suggested an inner screen of around 7.7 to 7.8 inches, advanced cameras and Apple’s next-generation processor. These specifications remain unconfirmed until the official presentation.
At the keynote, the iPhone Duo was introduced as Apple’s “first foldable iPhone”. “When open, it’s the thinnest iPhone with the largest display ever — 50 percent larger than iPhone 18 Pro Max. And it has an outer display with more than 90 percent of the screen area of iPhone 18 Pro. Through reimagined iOS experiences, it offers unparalleled versatility in all-new poses and orientations. All in a durable, pocketable design. It’s an iPhone unlike any iPhone”, detailed the company.
“iPhone Duo offers the most immersive viewing experience of any iPhone. The aspect ratio of the 7.6‑inch Super Retina XDR display4is consistent across the inner and outer display. The inner display is made of 10 ultrathin layers with a custom nano‑texture finish that reduces glare. And the under‑display FaceTime camera is hidden until you need it. The result is an uninterrupted viewing surface that’s remarkably smooth and flat. It’s simply the best iPhone for enjoying movies, shows, and games.”, added.
“A posable design and reimagined iOS 27 open up totally new iPhone experiences — and transitioning between displays and orientations is seamless. Get things done on the outer display or large inner display. Angle iPhone Duo for the perfect view of movies and shows. Stand it up and take hands-free videos and calls. Sometimes all you need is a change of space.”, explained.
About its camera, iPhone Duo gives the camera system delightful new features. “Duo Preview and Kid Cue help everyone look their best. Include the people around you in group calls with Duo FaceTime. Use Smart Take so you can be part of the moment, not stuck photographing it. And capture dazzling 48MP photos and 4K 120 fps videos”, said.
And refering to is battery, the iPhone Duo has “an iPhone-first dual-battery system, along with an internal space-saving eSIM design, maximizes physical space for battery capacity. And the C2 modem delivers groundbreaking efficiency. So even if you’re scrolling and gaming throughout the day, iPhone Duo can go the distance on a single charge1. And you’ll get up to 50 percent charge in around 20 minutes with fast wired charging”.
The name remains one of the biggest unanswered questions. iPhone Ultra is currently one of the strongest possibilities mentioned in reports, although other names, including iPhone Fold, have circulated during the development process. At its September 9 keynote, Apple confirmed that the commercial name of its first foldable iPhone will be iPhone Duo.
If Apple introduces the device as expected, the launch would mark a major new chapter for the iPhone lineup and Apple’s first official step into the foldable smartphone category.
Contenido GEC