Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, marking one of the biggest changes to the iPhone’s physical design since the original model.
Malaysia is among the first markets to receive the new device. Pre-orders will open at 8pm MYT on 16 October 2026, before the iPhone Duo goes on sale from 23 October, with prices starting at RM9,499.
Unlike Apple’s conventional iPhone lineup, the Duo combines a 5.4-inch outer Super Retina XDR display with a much larger 7.6-inch folding inner display. Apple says the inner screen is 50% larger than the display on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, giving users considerably more room for entertainment, gaming and multitasking.
The folding design also introduces new ways of using iOS. With iOS 27, users can run two apps side by side through Split View, position the phone at different angles for hands-free viewing and calls, and move between the outer and inner displays as the device is opened or closed. Apple has also highlighted apps including Netflix, Zoom and Slack as early examples of software adapted for the larger folding display.
Under the hood, the iPhone Duo is powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip, paired with a custom vapour chamber designed to handle sustained performance during gaming, multitasking and AI workloads. Apple has also adopted a dual-battery layout, placing a battery on each side of the device.
Photography is handled by a 48MP Fusion Main camera and 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera. The folding form factor enables several new camera functions, including Duo Preview, which lets the person being photographed see a live preview on the outer screen, and the ability to use the higher-resolution rear cameras for selfies while framing the shot using the external display.
Interestingly, Apple has opted for Touch ID integrated into the side button instead of relying solely on Face ID. The iPhone Duo also features a Grade 5 titanium construction, Ceramic Shield protection and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
In Malaysia, the iPhone Duo will be available in Star White and Night Sky, with four storage configurations:
| Storage | Malaysia Price |
|---|---|
| 256GB | RM9,499 |
| 512GB | RM10,499 |
| 1TB | RM12,499 |
| 2TB | RM15,499 |
Apple is also offering up to 24 months of 0% interest financing for eligible purchases.
At RM9,499 for the entry model, the iPhone Duo clearly sits at the premium end of the smartphone market. More importantly, however, it represents Apple’s first direct move into a foldable category that Android manufacturers have been developing for several years.
Whether Apple’s approach can make foldables more mainstream will become clearer once the iPhone Duo reaches Malaysian consumers on 23 October.