Apple enters foldable market with iPhone Duo and Apple Pencil support
The company's first foldable smartphone targets creators with a 7.6-inch display and stylus compatibility.
Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the unveiling of the iPhone Duo. The device represents a fundamental shift in the iPhone's hardware design, aiming to merge the utility of a phone with tablet-like capabilities.
Announced during a "Surprise and Shine" event, the iPhone Duo features a passport-style foldable design centered around a 7.6-inch inner display. In a first for the iPhone lineup, the device is compatible with the Apple Pencil, positioning it as a portable tool for digital sketching and note-taking. The Duo was launched as part of a broader hardware refresh that included the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5.
A historic hardware shift
This move marks the most significant departure from the iPhone's original form factor since the product's debut nearly two decades ago. According to Bee Wertheimer of PCMag, the release is the biggest change to the iPhone concept since the original launched almost 20 years ago. By adopting a foldable screen, Apple is now directly competing in a segment previously dominated by Android manufacturers, while simultaneously expanding the reach of its creative ecosystem.
Implications for creators
By integrating Apple Pencil support into a foldable chassis, Apple is specifically targeting digital artists and mobile creators. The goal is to provide a more portable alternative to the iPad for those who need a high-fidelity canvas on the go. However, the transition is not without friction; critics have pointed out that the device lacks a properly portable stylus solution. Without a dedicated "mini" pencil or an integrated storage method, the current ecosystem gap may hinder the Duo's adoption as a primary, spontaneous sketching tool.
The road ahead
As Apple integrates the Duo into its existing lineup, the industry will be watching to see how users adapt to the passport-style form factor. While the hardware capabilities are confirmed, it remains to be seen if Apple will introduce a more compact stylus to address the portability concerns raised by early reviewers. For now, the iPhone Duo stands as a bold experiment in blending the iPhone's communication strengths with the iPad's creative versatility.