Apple has made its long-awaited move into foldable phones, unveiling the new iPhone Duo in what marks one of the company’s biggest design shifts in years.
But, as has often been the case with major Apple launches, shoppers in the UK are set to face a steeper bill than buyers in the United States for what is now the brand’s most expensive iPhone to date.
In Britain, the iPhone Duo will be priced from £1,999 up to £3,199, while US retailers will sell the foldable smartphone for between $1,999 and $3,199. Based on a direct currency conversion, that would put the UK cost at roughly £1,475 to £2,360.
The device represents a striking departure from Apple’s familiar iPhone formula, pairing a rounded 5.4-inch cover screen with a larger 7.6-inch display that opens up inside.
Even so, the reveal has not won over everyone, with some Apple fans taking to social media to voice disappointment over the new foldable iPhone.
Social media users have torn into the expensive phone’s design, calling the iPhone Duo ‘ugly’ and ‘awkward’.
In a post on X, one commenter wrote: ‘Is it just me or does iPhone Duo look ugly af.’
Another chimed in: ‘I almost wanted the iPhone Duo but that thing is hideous.’
While one commenter ranted: ‘With all due respect, the display of the new iPhone Duo looks disgusting.’
Apple has just leapt into the world of foldable devices with the exciting launch of the new iPhone Duo, but some fans are not impressed
The iPhone Duo shares the same squat, book-like shape as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, meaning the screen is wider than it is tall when opened.
Both the inner and outer screens share the same 1 by 1.4 aspect ratio, ensuring that apps don’t get distorted or leave dead space when changing between views.
Users will be able to use the iPhone Duo in any orientation or position, leaving it half open to prop up and watch movies hands-free or holding it partially folded like a book.
Thanks to the new A20 Pro chipset, Apple’s new foldable will be able to accommodate multitasking, running different apps on either side of the screen.
However, with the iPhone Duo arriving years later than foldable offerings from rivals Samsung and Google, tech fans have been quick to criticise Apple’s lack of innovation.
One commenter complained that the iPhone Duo ‘might be the most useless phone ever made’.
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‘iPhone Duo is the most WTF product ever. What’s the point? Niche product at a niche price,’ vented another.
Another complained: ‘The iPhone Duo might just be the dumbest thing ever.’
In a major break from Apple’s long-established smartphone designs, the iPhone Duo features a rounded 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner screen
Meanwhile, some tech fans even took umbrage over the device’s name, calling it ‘silly’.
‘Surely they thought of a better name at Apple than “iPhone Duo” lol,’ wrote one commenter.
Another added: ‘I cannot believe they called it iPhone Duo. Who came up with that name? Fire that person.’
The iPhone Duo launched today at Apple’s ‘surprise and shine’ event in Cupertino, California.
The iPhone Duo is available in two colours – night sky and star white – and is constructed from titanium.
Thanks to its ‘effortlessly smooth’ hinge, the tech giant claims its first foldable will be even more durable and should keep annoying screen creasing to a minimum.
However, the iPhone Duo features Touch ID for unlocking rather than Face ID, which may come as a disappointment to some fans.
Social media users have torn into the expensive phone’s design, calling the iPhone Duo ‘ugly’ and ‘awkward’. Pictured: Apple CEO John Ternus holding the iPhone Duo
Launching the product from the company’s Cupertino headquarters, new CEO John Ternus said: ‘iPhone Duo is the most transformational change to iPhone since the original.’
Apple says the screen will also support the use of Apple Pencil just like an iPad, making it the first iPhone to do so.
On the back, the iPhone Duo uses the same 48-megapixel camera as the iPhone 18 Pro.
But the iPhone Duo isn’t the only new device on offer, as Apple has also launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max alongside new Apple Watches and AirPods.