Apple revealed its latest innovation, the Duo foldable phone, marking a significant advancement in its flagship product lineup. The Duo resembles a passport in size and shape, featuring rounded edges and a design that unfolds to reveal a wide horizontal screen, which can also be viewed vertically. When folded, a smaller single screen is visible on the front. Apple boasts that when open, the Duo is its thinnest phone yet.
Priced at $2,999 globally, the Duo starts at $1,999 in the U.S., translating to approximately $2,760 in Canadian dollars at the current exchange rate. While the reason for the price discrepancy between the U.S. and Canada remains unclear, Apple has been contacted for clarification by CBC News. Pre-orders for the Duo will commence on October 17, with the official release set for October 23.
Describing the iPhone Duo as a groundbreaking advancement, John Ternus, Apple’s new CEO, emphasized its revolutionary design and user experience. Ternus criticized existing foldable phones for their inefficiencies in common tasks like scrolling and video viewing, affirming that the Duo was meticulously engineered to provide an iPad-like experience in a compact, pocket-sized device. The custom hinge, dual displays with consistent aspect ratios, and a new titanium body are key features highlighted by Apple.
The event, which marked Ternus’s debut as CEO, signifies the most significant overhaul of Apple’s flagship product since the removal of the physical home button from the iPhone X in 2017. In the latest fiscal year, iPhone sales accounted for over half of Apple’s revenue, generating $209.6 billion in the U.S. alone.
Ternus positioned the iPhone as a personal AI hub prioritizing privacy, emphasizing Apple’s commitment to on-device intelligence to safeguard user data. Additionally, Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, priced at $1,749 and $1,899 respectively, as the newest additions to its renowned smartphone lineup.
Apple also unveiled innovative features to address concerns surrounding AI-generated images, including the “Apple Reference Image” standard to verify image authenticity captured by the new iPhone 18 Pro cameras. The company announced support for the SynthID standard to identify images created or altered using AI, with the Apple Reference Image feature excluding availability in the EU and China.
Furthermore, Apple showcased the new A20 Pro chip integrated into the iPhone 18 Pro, enhancing the device’s capability to run advanced AI models directly. The company introduced updated AirPods models, starting at $179 with noise cancellation and offering additional features like wireless charging and on-stem volume control.
Highlighting health-focused upgrades, Apple presented the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 as significant advancements in wearable technology. As customers navigate the concept of investing in a foldable device priced at $3,000, Ternus’s role will be pivotal in persuading consumers of the device’s value in the luxury tech market.
The event also featured a video showcasing an iPhone surviving a fall from a plane, capturing the resilience and durability of Apple’s devices in real-world scenarios.