Today, 23 October, the foldable iPhone Duo goes on sale in more than 70 countries and regions, including the US and the UK. Apple adds another 28 markets on 30 October. Over the past two days the first reviews, hinge tests and teardowns have landed, so we can now judge the first folding iPhone on real-world testing rather than leaks.
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UK price and when you can actually get one
In the UK the iPhone Duo costs £1,999 for the 256GB model, £2,199 for 512GB, £2,599 for 1TB and £3,199 for 2TB. The entry model is roughly £700 more than the base iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Pre-orders opened on 16 October and the launch stock went almost immediately. According to Macworld, as of 22 October Apple was promising delivery of the 256GB model in the UK by 25 January 2027. Apple stores will hold limited stock today for people without a pre-order, but Apple says plainly that availability is not guaranteed.
What is inside
Folded, the iPhone Duo measures 84.1 by 117.8mm and is 11.3mm thick. Unfolded it is 164.6mm wide and just 5.2mm thin, which Apple says makes it the thinnest iPhone when open. It weighs 254g, 5g more than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The frame and hinge cover are Grade 5 titanium, and there is IP68 protection. It comes in two colours: Star White and Night Sky.
The outer screen is 5.4 inches and the inner one 7.6 inches. Both are 120Hz OLED panels with Always-On mode and peak outdoor brightness of up to 3000 nits. The inner display has a matte nano-texture coating that cuts glare.
The A20 Pro chip is built on a 2nm process, with a 6-core CPU and 7-core GPU. Apple does not state the amount of RAM. Touch ID in the side button replaces Face ID. You also get the Apple C2 modem, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and eSIM only.
There are two cameras on the back, both 48MP: a main and an ultra-wide. There is no telephoto and no variable aperture. For photography, reviewers note, the iPhone 18 Pro Max remains the more sensible choice.
Battery and charging
There are two batteries inside, and Apple does not disclose their capacity. The official claim is up to 24 hours of typical use. Test results varied. Tom’s Guide measured 13 hours 20 minutes of web browsing, more than three hours better than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 but well short of the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s 17.5 hours. Engadget got almost 29 hours of video playback. CNET says the phone comfortably survived a busy day, while The Verge doubts it will last a full day of heavy use and notes that it runs warm.
Over a cable, the iPhone Duo charges to 50% in about 20 minutes, but only with an adapter of 60W or more. Wireless charging over MagSafe and Qi2 runs at up to 25W, reaching 50% in about 30 minutes with an adapter of 35W or more. The box contains only a 1m USB-C cable, with no power adapter.
The crease: the big question for foldables
Nearly all reviewers agree that in everyday use the crease is practically invisible, although from some angles you can spot it and feel it. Independent tests were harsher. The YouTuber Tim Pan folded the phone 500 times by hand, then 10,000 times at around minus 20 degrees: the crease became noticeably deeper, but the hinge was unharmed. After 3,000 cycles HTX Studio saw a deeper crease than on two rivals, and the screen around it felt softer to the touch. One more observation: the matte coating hides small imperfections well but copes poorly with grease and some cosmetics, although ordinary fingerprints wipe off easily.
What reviewers say
The praise goes to the almost invisible crease, the build quality, the hinge and the battery life, which for a first generation turned out better than expected. The criticism is aimed at the weight, the slightly cramped outer screen, the loss of Face ID, the missing telephoto and third-party apps that are not yet adapted: Tom’s Guide and Wired saw black bars at the edges, and games do not always scale properly on the big screen. The Verge called the Duo one of Apple’s rawest first-generation products in a long time, and WAtoday’s reviewer flatly advises waiting for the second version.
What it means for buyers
If you specifically want a folding phone and are happy to pay for first-generation status, the Duo looks like the most polished foldable on the market for screen and build quality. But at £1,999 and with delivery not due until late January, this is a purchase for enthusiasts. If camera and battery life matter more, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the logical alternative, and it costs about £700 less.
There is a practical point too. There is no power adapter in the box, and fast charging needs one rated at 60W at least. An old 20W charger from a previous iPhone will work, but the Duo will take noticeably longer to charge. The same goes for any other modern phone or tablet: a powerful USB-C adapter is a buy that lasts for years.
Worth adding: chargers and accessories
Below are popular AliExpress accessories that suit any modern iPhone with USB-C and MagSafe, the Duo included. We picked them by sales and ratings.
UGREEN 65W GaN
A 65W charger from the official UGREEN store with USB-C and USB-A ports. That is enough to clear the 60W threshold for fast-charging the Duo, with power to spare for a laptop. Gallium nitride makes the unit more compact than conventional adapters of the same output. It is currently £45.00, down from £93.44.
Price on 23 October: £45.00
Sold: 6975+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.1%
View on AliExpress
Toocki 67W GaN with display
A much cheaper option, at about a third of the price at £14.67. This 67W unit supports PD and PPS, and its main feature is a digital display showing the current power. It is handy for checking whether your phone is really taking a fast charge or the cable is limiting the current.
Price on 23 October: £14.67
Sold: 3 770+ pcs, positive reviews: 97.0%
View on AliExpress
UGREEN Qi2.2 25W, 10,000mAh
A magnetic power bank with Qi2.2 wireless charging at 25W, exactly the power the Duo’s MagSafe supports. It has a 10,000mAh capacity and is MagSafe compatible. For a foldable that uses noticeably more energy when opened out, a reserve like this in your pocket is no bad thing. Price: £55.45.
Price on 23 October: £55.45
Sold: 1895+ pcs, positive reviews: 97.6%
View on AliExpress
Baseus Qi2, 10,000mAh
A more affordable magnetic battery pack from the official Baseus store: 15W wireless charging on the Qi2 standard and 22.5W wired. It is slower than the UGREEN, but enough for topping up during the day. Price: £35.75.
Price on 23 October: £35.75
Sold: 1841+ pcs, positive reviews: 95.8%
View on AliExpress
Folding magnetic aluminium stand
An aluminium desk stand with a magnetic mount and adjustable height and tilt. It suits a phone, tablet or laptop. A foldable with a big inner screen is easy to use on a stand like this for video calls and watching video. Price: £4.03.
Price on 23 October: £4.03
Sold: 7134+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
In short
The iPhone Duo went on sale today in the first wave of countries from £1,999, and new orders will not arrive until January. Reviews praise the screen and build but criticise the weight and rough software, and tests show the crease deepens over time. If buying the Duo is not on the cards yet, a 65W adapter and a magnetic power bank will earn their keep with any modern smartphone.
