iPhone Duo: Apple’s first foldable iPhone could cost over R50,000 in SA

Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone.

Unveiled during Apple’s hardware event on 9 September 2026, the iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner display and a smaller 5.4-inch outer screen.

The new device marks a significant change to the familiar iPhone form factor and was introduced alongside Apple’s traditional iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo will open on Friday, 16 October, before the device officially launches on Friday, 23 October 2026.

How much could the iPhone Duo cost in South Africa?

South African pricing for the iPhone Duo has not yet been officially announced, but local estimates suggest buyers should prepare to pay more than R50,000 for Apple’s first foldable phone.

The 256GB iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the United States, with storage configurations extending up to 2TB.

Based on previous Apple pricing in South Africa, local estimates place the starting price at around R51,000 to R52,000.

The final South African price could differ once official local pricing is announced.

The foldable will be available in two colours, Star White and Night Sky.

Two screens and a foldable design

When closed, the iPhone Duo has a footprint similar to that of a compact passport.

Opening the device reveals its 7.6-inch inner display, creating a thin horizontal screen designed to provide significantly more display space than a conventional smartphone.

The exterior features the 5.4-inch cover display for using the device while it remains folded.

Apple has used grade 5 titanium with a polished mirror finish for the device.

Touch ID returns on the iPhone Duo

The foldable design also brings Touch ID into the iPhone Duo.

Instead of relying on an in-display sensor, the fingerprint reader is integrated into the power button on the side of the device.

The positioning allows the sensor to be used while holding the Duo in different orientations.

What’s inside the iPhone Duo?

The iPhone Duo is powered by Apple’s A20 Pro processor and has been designed around Apple Intelligence and Siri AI running locally on the device.

Apple has also adapted iOS to make greater use of the larger foldable display.

According to senior vice-president of Software Engineering Craig Federighi, the operating system has been redesigned to allow multiple apps to run simultaneously, while some system controls have been repositioned towards the side of the display for easier thumb access.

The device also supports Apple Pencil and MagSafe.

What cameras does Apple’s foldable have?

The iPhone Duo features a 48MP Fusion main camera alongside an ultrawide sensor shared with the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

On the front, there’s a 12MP hole-punch selfie camera built into the outer display.

The larger internal screen uses an under-display camera, keeping the main foldable display free of a visible camera cutout.

Apple’s biggest iPhone design change yet

The arrival of the iPhone Duo gives Apple a new form factor alongside its traditional iPhone range.

Instead of replacing the standard iPhone design, the foldable joins the iPhone 18 Pro lineup with a larger inner display, multitasking features and support for Apple Pencil.

For South African consumers, however, the price is likely to be one of its biggest talking points.

With estimates suggesting a starting price of around R51,000 to R52,000, the iPhone Duo is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most expensive smartphones when it eventually reaches the local market.

Pre-orders begin internationally on 16 October, with availability beginning on 23 October 2026.

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