Apple Announces the iPhone Duo Pre-Order Date as Its First Foldable Smartphone Launches October 23

The foldable launches in Night Sky and Black colorways.

Summary

Apple announced the official 'Get ready' pre-order timeline for the highly anticipated iPhone Duo, starting October 12, 2026

The brand's first foldable smartphone features a 7.6-inch inner display, a 5.4-inch outer display and the new A20 Pro chip

Official pre-orders launch October 16, with full retail availability on October 23 and pricing starting at $1,999.00

Apple officially announced the rollout timeline for the iPhone Duo, laying the groundwork for its first entry into the foldable smartphone market. Starting on Monday, October 12, 2026, customers can initiate the brand’s signature ‘Get ready’ configuration process. Applying this recurring launch strategy to its very first foldable device allows Apple to proactively streamline the checkout experience, ensuring that prospective buyers can minimize technical issues and secure their devices during a high-demand pre-order window.

This advance setup window gives buyers a crucial head start to pre-select their exact configuration options well before the official drop. Accessed directly through the Apple Store app and Apple’s online store, the ‘Get ready’ process lets users lock in their preferred storage amount, wireless carrier, payment method and colorway, with the foldable device launching in sharp Night Sky and Star White options. Available wireless carrier options for the initial rollout include AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Once the setup is completed, customers will be positioned for a rapid checkout when official pre-orders for the iPhone Duo go live on Friday, October 16, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (5:00 a.m. Pacific Time). The foldable phone will then be officially available for purchase on October 23, 2026.

As Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the hardware introduces an entirely new physical footprint for the tech giant. When closed, the device operates using a compact 5.4-inch outer display. Opening the physical architecture reveals a sprawling 7.6-inch inner display that utilizes a special nano-texture finish specifically designed to minimize glare. To ensure flawless visual continuity for the user as they transition between the two modes, both the inner and outer displays share the exact same aspect ratio.

Under the hood, the entire experience is powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip. The device’s foundational hardware design relies on a highly engineered precision hinge and a dual-battery architecture to support the demanding dual-screen setup. To keep the powerful processor running smoothly within the folding chassis, Apple integrates an advanced thermal management system equipped with a custom-designed vapor chamber. The 256GB unlocked model of the iPhone Duo is priced at $1,999.00 USD, while the top-tier 512GB unlocked model is priced at $2,199.00 USD.