Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone could debut under the name iPhone Duo, with a reported starting price of around $2,000 and shipments potentially beginning as early as October.
Apple’s highly anticipated entry into the foldable smartphone market may finally be taking shape. Just hours before the company’s latest iPhone launch event, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reportedly revealed new details about the device, including its possible name, pricing and launch timeline.
According to the report, Apple could call its first foldable smartphone iPhone Duo, replacing the “iPhone Ultra” name that has frequently appeared in earlier rumors.
The device is reportedly expected to start at $2,000 for a 256GB configuration, while the highest-capacity version could reach approximately $3,000 with up to 2TB of storage.
Apple may begin shipping the foldable iPhone as soon as October, with white and dark blue said to be among the initial color options.
iPhone Duo Could Replace the “iPhone Ultra” Name
For years, Apple’s rumored foldable smartphone has been informally referred to as the iPhone Ultra. The latest information, however, suggests that Apple may adopt the iPhone Duo branding instead.
The name would not be entirely unfamiliar in the technology industry. Google previously used “Duo” for its video-calling and communications service, while Microsoft adopted the name for its dual-screen Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 devices.
Apple’s choice of the Duo name could potentially emphasize the device’s two-part folding design and its ability to provide a larger workspace when unfolded. However, the company has yet to confirm the branding or explain how the product would fit into the broader iPhone lineup.
A $2,000 Starting Price Would Put It Among the Most Expensive Foldables
If the reported pricing is accurate, Apple’s foldable iPhone would enter the market at a significant premium.
The rumored $2,000 starting price would make it more expensive than the entry-level versions of Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, both of which are reportedly positioned around the $1,899 mark.
At the same time, the rumored iPhone Duo could still undercut the approximately $2,099.99 starting price associated with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
The pricing could vary considerably by market, particularly after taxes and regional pricing are taken into account. Apple is also expected to offer multiple storage configurations, potentially creating a wide price gap between the base and top-end models.
Multitasking Could Bring the iPad Experience to the iPhone
Beyond its foldable form factor, software could become one of the most important aspects of Apple’s new device.
The iPhone Duo is reportedly expected to take advantage of its larger unfolded display by allowing users to run multiple iPhone apps side by side. The device could also offer a multitasking experience more closely associated with the iPad than traditional iPhones.
Such functionality would give the foldable iPhone a clear productivity angle. Users could potentially work with two applications simultaneously, making the larger display useful for browsing, communication, note-taking and content creation.
Another rumored feature is Apple Pencil support. If confirmed, this would further blur the line between the iPhone and iPad, allowing the foldable device to function as both a smartphone and a compact productivity tablet.
Apple could therefore position the product as more than simply an iPhone with a flexible display. Its combination of a pocketable form factor, a larger unfolded screen and enhanced multitasking could make it a new category within the iPhone family.
Apple’s Foldable Era May Be About to Begin
Apple has remained absent from the foldable smartphone market while Samsung, Google and other manufacturers have introduced several generations of foldable devices.
That could change with the iPhone Duo.
If the latest reports prove accurate, Apple’s first foldable iPhone could combine a premium design with an unusually high price, while relying heavily on software integration and the broader Apple ecosystem to justify its position.
The company is expected to reveal more details during its iPhone launch event. Until then, the iPhone Duo name, $2,000 starting price, October availability and rumored specifications should be treated as unconfirmed information rather than official product details.
If Apple does unveil the device as reported, however, the iPhone Duo could become one of the most significant additions to the iPhone lineup in years—and potentially mark the beginning of Apple’s long-awaited push into foldable smartphones.