Apple has unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the $1,999 iPhone Duo, marking one of the biggest changes to its flagship product in years.
The device has a passport-like design with rounded edges and opens horizontally to reveal a 7.6-inch display. The screen can also be used vertically, while a smaller display is available on the front when the phone is folded.
Apple says the Duo is its thinnest iPhone when fully opened.
The launch marks the first major iPhone redesign under new CEO John Ternus and represents the company's most significant overhaul of the device since the physical home button was removed with the iPhone X in 2017.
The iPhone remains central to Apple's business, generating $209.6 billion in revenue during its most recent financial year, accounting for just over half of the company's total sales.
Apple is positioning the Duo as a productivity-focused device, highlighting features such as multiple app windows and an expanded workspace. During the launch, the company demonstrated the phone being used for Zoom calls and displaying more of the Slack messaging platform at once.
Ternus criticised existing foldable smartphones, describing them as awkward and poorly suited to everyday activities such as scrolling and watching videos.
He said Apple designed the Duo to provide an iPad-like experience in a pocket-sized device, using a custom hinge, dual displays with a consistent aspect ratio and a titanium body.
“It’s entirely new and at the same time remarkably familiar,” Ternus said, adding that its passport-like size makes it comfortable to hold and use with one hand.
The iPhone Duo will be powered by Apple's new A20 chip, which is designed to manage the device's displays. It will also feature Apple's C2 modem, further reducing the company's reliance on Qualcomm's wireless modem technology.
Analysts say the foldable iPhone could create a new premium segment for Apple and provide additional momentum for its smartphone business.
PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore said the launch creates “a new premium growth opportunity” and another potential revenue stream for the company.
Despite the unveiling, Apple's shares fell 1.8% by the end of the presentation.