Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 20
Apple Launches $1,999 iPhone Duo With 7.6-Inch Matte Display and Touch ID
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 20

Apple Launches $1,999 iPhone Duo With 7.6-Inch Matte Display and Touch ID

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 20

Summary

  • Apple’s first foldable iPhone pairs a 5.4-inch outer screen with a 7.6-inch matte inner display, with early hands-on reviews praising the software transition between phone and tablet modes.
  • The matte finish reduces glare and makes the crease far less visible, while Split View multitasking and a side-mounted Touch ID sensor aim to make the Duo practical whether open or closed.
  • Battery life reached at least 36 hours in heavy use, and the titanium body carries an IP68 rating, reinforcing Apple’s pitch that the foldable is sturdy enough for everyday use.
  • The trade-offs remain steep: the Duo starts at $1,999, lacks Face ID and a telephoto lens, and some apps still appear poorly optimized for its unusual aspect ratios.
  • Pre-orders were already described as extraordinary ahead of the Oct. 23 release, with deliveries stretching into January 2027 as Apple pushes into the premium foldable market.

Insights

With deliveries slipping to 2027, is Apple's $3,199 foldable a true market revolution or just a masterclass in artificial scarcity?
Can a $2,000 folding iPhone actually reshape the tech industry, or will ongoing memory shortages throttle Apple's most expensive gamble yet?