New Delhi: Apple’s first foldable iPhone could have a name, price and release window already revealed ahead of the company’s September 9 launch event. According to a latest report cited by India Today, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has claimed that Apple’s first foldable smartphone could be called the iPhone Duo, with a starting price of around $2,000 and an October release.
The information comes just hours before Apple’s “Surprise and shine” event, where the company is expected to unveil its next-generation iPhone lineup. Apple has officially confirmed the event for September 9 at 10:30 pm IST, but it has not confirmed the existence, name or specifications of a foldable iPhone.
If the latest reports prove accurate, the iPhone Duo could become one of Apple’s most expensive mainstream smartphones and mark the company’s entry into the rapidly growing foldable-phone market.
Apple’s foldable iPhone could be called iPhone Duo
Apple has been linked to a foldable iPhone for years, with possible names such as iPhone Fold and iPhone Ultra appearing in previous reports.
The latest leak, however, claims Apple has settled on the name iPhone Duo. Gurman’s report suggests the name could refer to the device’s two-part, book-style folding design.
The reported name remains unconfirmed until Apple officially announces the product.
The device is expected to open like a book, giving users access to a substantially larger internal display while retaining a conventional smartphone-sized outer screen for everyday use.
iPhone Duo price could start at $2,000
Price is likely to be one of the biggest talking points if Apple launches the foldable iPhone.
According to the report, the iPhone Duo could start at $2,000, with the entry-level model reportedly offering 256GB of storage. Higher-capacity versions could cost significantly more, with the top-end variant potentially reaching around $3,000 and offering up to 2TB of storage.
For Indian buyers, a direct currency conversion would put the starting price at roughly Rs 1.7 lakh, before Indian taxes, duties and Apple’s local pricing strategy are taken into account. The actual India price, if the product launches in the country, could therefore be substantially higher.
The reported pricing would position the foldable iPhone well above Apple’s conventional flagship models.
Rising component costs could push up the price
The reported high price is said to be linked partly to increasing component costs, including memory.
According to India Today’s report, Apple could absorb some of the additional component costs rather than passing the entire increase on to customers. Even so, the complexity of producing a foldable smartphone is expected to make it considerably more expensive than conventional iPhone models.
Foldable phones require specialised flexible displays, hinges and other components that are generally more complicated than those used in traditional smartphones.
Apple’s entry into the segment would therefore be closely watched not only for its design but also for how the company approaches pricing and manufacturing.
Two colours reportedly planned
The iPhone Duo could also launch with a relatively limited colour selection.
The latest report claims that Apple’s first foldable phone will be available in dark blue and white. A black variant is reportedly not planned at launch.
Apple has not confirmed these colour options, and the final lineup could change before or during the official announcement.
A two-colour strategy would be relatively restrained for an entirely new iPhone category, particularly if Apple wants to position the device as a premium product rather than a mass-market model.
Apple Pencil support could be a major feature
Another potentially significant feature mentioned in the report is Apple Pencil support.
If accurate, the iPhone Duo could become the first iPhone designed to work with Apple’s stylus ecosystem. The larger internal display of the foldable could make handwriting, drawing, document annotation and other stylus-based tasks more practical than on a conventional iPhone.
It remains unclear whether the existing Apple Pencil models would work with the foldable or whether Apple would introduce a new version specifically for the device.
Apple has not confirmed Pencil compatibility with the reported foldable.
Expected display and design
Earlier reports cited by India Today suggest that the iPhone Duo could feature a 5.5-inch outer display and a much larger 7.8-inch internal screen. The book-style design would allow the device to function as a regular smartphone when folded and provide a tablet-like experience when opened.
The phone is also expected to have an extremely thin design.
Reports have further suggested that Apple could use Touch ID instead of Face ID on the foldable, although this is another specification that remains unconfirmed.
The reported hardware would represent a significant departure from Apple’s current iPhone design language.
A20 Pro chip could power the foldable
The iPhone Duo is also expected to use Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip, according to earlier leaks.
The chip is expected to deliver improvements in performance and efficiency, although Apple has not confirmed the processor specifications for the reported foldable.
The combination of a large internal screen, premium hardware and a high-end processor could make the device more suitable for productivity and demanding applications than a conventional smartphone.
October availability reportedly planned
Even if Apple unveils the foldable iPhone on September 9, customers may have to wait before they can purchase it.
The latest report suggests the iPhone Duo could go on sale as early as October, slightly after the main iPhone launch. The delay is reportedly linked to the complexity of producing the foldable device.
This would allow Apple additional time to manufacture sufficient quantities of the new device and potentially avoid supply constraints immediately after the announcement.
The exact launch date and countries included in the first sales wave are not yet confirmed.
iPhone 18 Pro models also expected
The foldable iPhone is not expected to be the only major announcement at Apple’s event.
Apple is also expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Reports have pointed to camera improvements, a smaller Dynamic Island and improved thermal management for the Pro models. Prices could also be higher than those of their predecessors.
The company is additionally expected to refresh its wearable and audio products.
Reports suggest that AirPods 5, including two variants, could be announced alongside the iPhone lineup. The new models are expected to offer improved active noise cancellation, while the Apple Watch lineup could also receive new hardware and software features.
Apple has not confirmed the foldable iPhone
Despite the growing number of leaks, Apple has not officially confirmed the iPhone Duo name, its price, colours, specifications or October availability.
Apple has officially confirmed only that its “Surprise and shine” event will take place on September 9 at 10:30 pm IST and will be available through Apple.com and the Apple TV app.
Therefore, all information about the foldable iPhone should be treated as reported or leaked information until Apple makes an official announcement.
A major moment for Apple’s iPhone business
If Apple does unveil the iPhone Duo, it would represent a major expansion of the iPhone family and Apple’s first direct entry into the foldable smartphone category.
Samsung and several Chinese smartphone manufacturers have already established foldable devices across different price segments. Apple’s approach could bring a new level of competition to the premium foldable market.
The reported $2,000 starting price would make the iPhone Duo a luxury product rather than a mass-market smartphone. Its success could depend on whether Apple can justify that premium through its design, software experience, durability and integration with the wider Apple ecosystem.
For now, consumers will not have to wait much longer for clarity. Apple’s September 9 event begins at 10:30 pm IST, when the company is expected to reveal whether the long-rumoured foldable iPhone is finally becoming reality.