CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple announced its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, at the company’s September launch event. The new device starts at $1,999, with pre‑orders opening on October 16 and shipments beginning October 23.
The rollout also featured the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, as well as a preview of Siri AI, Apple’s next‑generation conversational assistant. The event was the first keynote delivered by new CEO John Ternus, who assumed the role on September 1 following Tim Cook’s retirement.
Design and user experience
In an exclusive interview with ABC7 Eyewitness News, Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing for iPhone and Apple Watch, described the Duo as “the biggest change we’ve seen to the iPhone since it debuted nearly two decades ago.” Drance explained that the foldable design was built to feel familiar to existing iPhone users while offering a larger display when opened and a compact form that fits easily in a pocket when closed.
“You open it up, it’s got this gorgeous, beautiful, large display, and then you close it. It still has a beautiful display that fits easily in your pocket and you can hold it with one hand,” Drance said. She added that the device runs a “reimagined iOS experience” tailored to the foldable form factor.
Apple’s leadership under John Ternus
When asked about the significance of the launch occurring less than two weeks after Ternus became CEO, Drance expressed optimism about the new leadership. “We are very excited to have John in our leadership position and excited for what the future brings,” she said. She emphasized that Apple remains focused on product quality and user experience, citing improvements to camera performance, battery life, and on‑device intelligence across the iPhone 18 series.
Siri AI and privacy
Apple also demonstrated Siri AI for the first time in a live setting. Drance highlighted that the new assistant is “incredibly personal, it’s conversational, and what sets it apart in our approach to AI is that we’re looking at that personal context but with privacy at its core.” She reiterated that privacy remains a top priority in the development of AI features, aiming to make the technology helpful without compromising user data.
“It should be helpful for you, and it should be a benefit to your capabilities on your iPhone, just to make your life a little easier,” Drance said.
Market impact
The iPhone Duo represents Apple’s entry into the foldable‑phone market, a segment that has seen limited competition from major Android manufacturers. Analysts note that Apple’s strong brand loyalty and integrated ecosystem could give the Duo a competitive edge, especially among users who value privacy and seamless hardware‑software integration.
Pre‑order numbers have not yet been released, but the company expects strong demand given the premium pricing and the novelty of a foldable iPhone. The launch also signals Apple’s continued investment in hardware innovation under Ternus’s leadership, reinforcing the company’s position as a major driver of consumer‑technology trends.
What’s next
Apple plans to expand the Duo’s availability throughout the United States and internationally after the initial launch week. The company also hinted at future software updates that will further integrate Siri AI across its product line, including the Apple Watch and Mac computers.
Consumers interested in the new iPhone Duo can sign up for pre‑order notifications on Apple’s website and should expect the device to appear in retail stores shortly after the October 23 release date.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
