iPhone Duo: John Ternus worked on a foldable iPhone since 2011

Apple introduces iPhone Duo: from 2011 experiments to a revolutionary foldable design

Cupertino, California – Apple has officially introduced its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, marking the culmination of years of development and innovation. Although the device only reached the market in September 2026, the company began working on the foldable iPhone concept back in 2011. At the time, current CEO John Ternus, together with a team of five engineers, filed a patent for devices with flexible displays, anticipating the evolution of OLED technology.

Apple deliberately delayed the release of its foldable smartphone despite the emergence of similar devices from competitors. The main reason was the company’s desire to achieve perfection in engineering and design. John Ternus has repeatedly emphasized that the appearance of such gadgets on the market was not enough to push Apple into a rushed launch. According to him, the first foldable devices from other manufacturers looked “cheap” and did not meet Apple’s high quality standards. This approach was also confirmed by Apple’s vice president of product design, Richard Dean, who noted that the company’s early prototypes had significant flaws, and it was Ternus’s persistence that kept them pushing refinement forward.

iPhone Duo: details of the innovative device

The new iPhone Duo is not just a foldable smartphone, but a true technological breakthrough. When unfolded, it impresses with a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR internal display. When the device is folded, users get access to a 5.4-inch external screen, making it convenient to use with one hand.

At the heart of the iPhone Duo is the new powerful A20 Pro chip. Its 6-core CPU is 20% faster than the previous A19 Pro, while the 7-core GPU delivers up to 40% higher performance and energy efficiency. Especially impressive is the dual 16-core Neural Engine, which provides twice the computing power for on-device AI models, opening up new possibilities for artificial intelligence.

The iPhone Duo design uses Grade 5 titanium with a mirror-polished finish, giving the device a premium look. It comes in two elegant colors: star white and night sky.

The iPhone Duo camera system is equally impressive. The main module is a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera, capable of capturing high-resolution photos, with zero shutter lag and a built-in 2x telephoto lens. It also includes a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide with macro photography support and a wider field of view. The FaceTime front camera is integrated under the internal display, creating an uninterrupted screen appearance.

User reactions and market launch

The unveiling of the iPhone Duo sparked a strong reaction on social media. Particularly lively discussions centered on its new dual-screen form factor and innovative hinge mechanism. Users on Threads and X around the world, including in Ukraine, Europe, and the United States, actively created memes, joking about the device’s proportions and appearance in a partially unfolded state.

The iPhone Duo, scheduled to go on sale on September 9, 2026, will mark a new era in smartphone history, reaffirming Apple’s strategy of prioritizing long-term success and user satisfaction over short-term market trends.

Roman Spas

Roman Spas is the author of a blog about website development, IT news, web project promotion, design and modern technologies. In his materials, he explains complex digital topics in simple language, shares practical advice for website owners, entrepreneurs, marketers and specialists who want to better understand the online environment. The author's main focus is on effective websites, SEO, web design, internet marketing and technological solutions that help businesses develop in the digital space.