Apple CEO John Ternus has explained why the company took years to launch its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, characterizing early foldable offerings from competing brands as subpar and poorly built. The highly anticipated device represents Apple's most expensive smartphone release to date, and Indian consumers can begin reserving units.
Apple enthusiasts in India can place pre-orders for the iPhone Duo starting at 5:30 PM IST. Prospective buyers can secure the device through the official Apple online store, authorized retail partners, and major offline retail platforms.
The base 256GB model of the iPhone Duo starts at Rs 2,99,900, whereas the top-tier 2TB variant reaches Rs 4,49,900. The smartphone is offered in two distinct color options: Star White and Night Sky. Physical retail availability and general open sales are scheduled to begin the following week on October 23.
Ternus, who assumed the role of Apple CEO on September 1, pointed out that the organization recognized the potential of flexible OLED technology long ago. Alongside a small team of engineers, he filed a patent for foldable electronic gear back in 2011. While various competitors rushed to introduce their inaugural folding handsets in 2019, Apple deliberately held off because early rival hardware suffered from structural durability concerns and prominent display creases.
To circumvent the pitfalls encountered by previous foldable devices, Apple dedicated years to refining both the hardware and software. The iPhone Duo incorporates a spacious 7.6-inch folding internal display alongside a 5.4-inch external screen.
Apple's Vice President of Product Design encouraged the engineering group to develop a specialized polymer surface paired with a nanotexture finish. Combined with an intricate hinge mechanism consisting of more than 100 miniature components, this architecture renders the crease virtually imperceptible. The handset utilizes a lightweight titanium chassis driven by the A20 Pro processor.
Additionally, Apple engineered a custom display engine using proprietary silicon to ensure fluid transitions between the internal and external screens. To improve usability on the larger canvas, iOS has been modified to position essential controls along the right side for easy thumb access.
The iPhone Duo enters a luxury segment where rivals like Samsung and Google maintain an established presence across several generations of folding devices. With Ternus expressing confidence that Apple has effectively resolved the primary challenges associated with foldable displays, the new launch aims to establish a fresh standard for the marketplace.