Apple iPhone Duo Foldable Phone Launched in India at Rs 2,99,900

Apple’s first foldable iPhone brings a 7.6-inch inner display, A20 Pro chip, dual batteries and a completely new design to the iPhone lineup.

Apple has finally stepped into the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone. The company has priced the device at Rs 2,99,900 in India for the 256GB variant.

The iPhone Duo is available in two finishes - Star White and Night Sky - and comes with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB. Pre-orders will begin on October 16 at 5:30 PM IST, while sales will start on October 23 through Apple and select retail partners.

iPhone Duo price in India

The 256GB iPhone Duo is priced at Rs 2,99,900. The higher storage variants cost Rs 3,24,900 for 512GB, Rs 3,74,900 for 1TB and Rs 4,49,900 for 2TB.

Apple is also offering several launch benefits. Customers can receive trade-in credit of up to Rs 81,500, along with No Cost EMI for up to six months. Instant cashback of up to Rs 7,000 is available on select American Express, Axis Bank and ICICI Bank cards.

The box includes the phone and a USB-C cable, but Apple is not including a charging adapter or earphones.

Two displays, one foldable iPhone

The iPhone Duo looks like a regular smartphone when folded, with a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR outer display. Open it up and the device reveals a much larger 7.6-inch folding display, giving users considerably more screen space.

Both displays support ProMotion, Always-On functionality and brightness of up to 3,000 nits. Apple has also added a nano-texture finish to the inner display to reduce reflections and make the folding crease less noticeable.

The phone can be used in different positions, including partially folded and tent-style modes. The software automatically responds to the device`s orientation, making it possible to use the two displays in different ways.

A20 Pro chip and dual batteries

Under the hood, the iPhone Duo is powered by Apple`s A20 Pro chip, built on a 2nm process. It features a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engines.

Apple says the new chip delivers faster performance and better sustained performance compared with the previous generation, with a vapour chamber helping manage heat during demanding tasks.

The foldable also uses an unusual dual-battery design. There is a battery in each half of the phone, but both work together as a single battery system.

Apple claims up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display and up to 44 hours using the outer screen. Wired charging can take the phone to 50 per cent in around 20 minutes, while e MagSafe can achieve the same level in roughly 30 minutes.

48MP camera system

The camera setup is one area where the iPhone Duo takes a different approach from Apple`s Pro models.

It features a 48MP Fusion Main camera with sensor-shift stabilisation and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera. There is no dedicated telephoto lens, variable aperture or the full set of Pro camera controls found on the Pro models.

Apple has, however, introduced several camera features designed specifically for the foldable format.

Duo Preview lets subjects see a live preview on the outer display before a photo is taken. Other features include Smart Take and Kid Cue, which are designed to make taking photos easier in different situations.

For video, the phone supports recording at up to 4K at 120fps in Dolby Vision.

Face ID is gone

Apple has made another major change to the iPhone`s security system. The iPhone Duo does not have Face ID. Instead, Touch ID is built into the side button.

The device also drops the Action button, although Camera Control remains available.

For durability, Apple has used a Grade 5 titanium frame and hinge cover, along with Ceramic Shield 2 protection. The phone also carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Apple says the folding display uses multiple ultra-thin layers and a specially engineered polymer designed to withstand the repeated stress of opening and closing the device.

No physical SIM card

The iPhone Duo is eSIM-only worldwide, with Apple removing the physical SIM tray altogether.

For Indian users, this should not be a major problem as Airtel, Jio and Vi support eSIM services.

iOS 27 is built for the foldable format

The iPhone Duo runs iOS 27.1, which has been redesigned to make better use of the two-screen form factor.

One of the biggest additions is Split View, which allows two apps to appear side by side. Users can also open two windows of the same app and save app combinations for quicker access.

StandBy mode can be used on either display, including when the phone is placed in a tent-style position. Popular apps such as Netflix, Zoom and Slack have also been adapted for the larger screen.

Apple Pencil support for both displays is expected to arrive later this year.

Apple Intelligence brings additional features to the device, while the company`s upgraded Siri AI is rolling out in beta with iOS 27. The new Siri can use personal context, interact with apps and perform certain actions on the user`s behalf.

Is the iPhone Duo worth Rs 2,99,900?

The iPhone Duo is clearly aimed at customers who want something different from a traditional iPhone.

At Rs 2,99,900, it costs substantially more than the iPhone 18 Pro, which starts at Rs 1,64,900. The extra cost is primarily for the foldable design, larger inner display and software experience rather than a more advanced camera system.

As Apple`s first foldable iPhone, the Duo will also have to prove itself over time. The durability of the folding display, reliability of the hinge and long-term battery performance are likely to be just as important to buyers as its impressive specifications.

For Apple fans who have been waiting for a foldable iPhone, however, the Duo marks a major new chapter in the company`s smartphone lineup.