Apple’s September event kicked off with new CEO John Ternus getting an introduction from his predecessor Tim Cook, but it was Steve Jobs he quoted to show Apple’s most anticipated device since the original iPhone.
“There’s just one more thing,” Ternus said as he introduced the iPhone Duo, which is two more things. The iPhone Duo is both a phone and an iPad mini killer.
Actually, make that three more things. It’s also a direct challenge to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.
“It shows what’s possible when hardware and software are engineered together and redefines what it means to use a foldable phone,” Ternus said.
The iPhone Duo is a chunky, book-style foldable. It has a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display, making it a perfect size for consuming content, as with the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Ternus positioned the iPhone Duo as a multitasking master, with the ability to use two apps side by side, comparison shop across each side of the screen, and make FaceTime calls a group activity with the ability to show two people sitting across from one another on the same call.
There are some tweaks to standard iPhone design. You won’t find FaceID on the phone, with Touch ID integrated into the side button instead. And the homescreen dock is now vertical to accommodate the new form factor.
Apple didn’t provide specifics about the battery, just that people could expect “all-day battery life,” with 24 hours of total use per charge when both displays are used equally. There’s 44 hours of video playback on the outer display and up to 31 hours on the inner display.
The iPhone Duo has a Ceramic Shield back and Ceramic Shield 2 front. It’s made of polished titanium and comes in Star White, a shimmery white, and Night Sky, a cobalty blue.
Support for Apple Pencil with USB-C will come later this year.
The iPhone Duo has a starting price of $1,999 and comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage capacities. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo start Oct. 16, and it will be on shelves on Oct. 23.
- SoC
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A20 Pro chip
- Storage
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256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB
- Battery
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Up to 31 hours
- Colors
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Star White, Night Sky
