The iPhone Duo is the first foldable iPhone, a product we ourselves are excited about and happy to use, which is why we’re showing it to the world.
By Author
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Published on September 20, 2026
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4 min read
On September 10, Apple’s long-rumored first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, was finally unveiled, along with the new iPhone 18 Pro series. This was also the first appearance of John Ternus, the new CEO, after taking the helm at Apple.
On September 17, Kaiann Drance, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, gave an exclusive interview to IT Home in Shanghai, discussing some design concepts related to the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro.
- Interviewer: The price of the iPhone 18 Pro has increased, but the design remains the same as the previous generation. There are not many obvious hardware changes, and the aperture and other features are too abstract for ordinary consumers. What kind of experience will the iPhone 18 Pro offer to impress consumers?
- Kaian Drance:
Of course, let me first answer your question about aperture. The brilliance of our variable aperture is that even if you don’t know how to use aperture, or are not a professional using Pro-level control options, the variable aperture can help everyday photos and videos look better by automatically adjusting the amount of light entering the camera, so users can take the best photos with both sharpness and depth of field even in low light.
In addition to camera capabilities, the performance of the iPhone 18 Pro series has also been greatly improved thanks to the A20 chip. This is not a simple, routine annual upgrade. CPU performance has increased by 20%, GPU performance by up to 40%, and the number of NPU cores and Neural Engines has doubled, now reaching 32 cores, all built on a 2nm process.
The A20 Pro’s close fit with the VC vapor chamber ensures more stable performance, enhancing the user experience for everyday tasks, gaming, and other high-performance loads. With incredible battery life improvements, this will make your iPhone last longer.
- Interviewer: Some consumers believe that foldable screens are a false demand, with limited everyday practical applications, and come at the cost of durability and repair costs. For the average user, what are the truly irreplaceable, high-frequency usable scenarios for the iPhone Duo?
- Kaian Drance:
The iPhone Duo is the first foldable iPhone, a product we ourselves are excited about and happy to use , which is why we’re showing it to the world.
To put it simply, the iPhone Duo has the largest display of any iPhone, providing an incredible viewing experience; but when folded, it becomes a beautiful device that fits in your pocket with one hand.
In addition, the redesigned iOS system is also an important part of the experience , as it allows you to feel the smoothness and intuitiveness of the iPhone Duo. Multitasking on such a beautiful and large screen is a truly immersive experience, and browsing widescreen content still feels like the familiar iPhone.
You can truly see and feel the difference in our (products). Apple’s hardware and software integration is meticulously considered in every aspect, including the transition from unfolding to folding and how the phone is positioned in different forms. This results in a very comfortable user experience. We are truly pursuing the ultimate user experience, not just technology.
- Interviewer: The foldable screen product market is highly competitive. What features of Apple’s first foldable phone offer a better user experience than its competitors, and what features might lead the industry’s direction?
- Kaian Drance:
I think there are a few experiences we really wanted to create when designing the iPhone Duo, such as a consistent screen aspect ratio and a smooth, continuous folding experience.
We also wanted to provide a great visual experience when using the large screen, so we developed a custom nano-textured surface process that provides a great visual experience, reduces glare and reflections, feels premium to the touch, reduces the visibility of creases, and is more resistant to scratches and dents. In short, it improves the overall durability of the iPhone Duo.
Durability is paramount, so we opted for a Grade 5 titanium hinge. The screen support uses hundreds of small components with support and carbon fiber, achieving an incredibly durable design. In addition, opening and closing the phone is a wonderful experience in itself, feeling so smooth and fluid, and the phone can be placed in different orientations with a stable and elegant form.
