Apple's foldable iPhone Duo to start at $2,000, Bloomberg reports

September 9, 2026 at 10:26 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Apple's first foldable iPhone will be called the iPhone Duo and start at $2,000 for the 256GB model, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported hours before the September 9 launch event. The device is expected to ship in October in white and dark blue, with higher storage tiers reaching $3,000. The pricing puts it above the $1,899 starting points of Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8, but below the $2,099.99 Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Key Facts

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported the foldable iPhone will be named iPhone Duo, not iPhone Ultra, hours before Apple's September 9 event.
The base 256GB iPhone Duo will start at $2,000, with higher storage models reaching approximately $3,000.
The iPhone Duo is expected to ship in October in white and dark blue, with support for the Apple Pencil.
A CNET survey found 25% of US adults are interested in buying Apple's foldable phone, but their average spending interest is $781.
The iPhone Duo's starting price is $100 more than the $1,899 Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, but $99.99 less than the $2,099.99 Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Naming and Pricing

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported the foldable iPhone will be called iPhone Duo, not iPhone Ultra, in a midnight report before Apple's September 9 event. The base model with 256GB of storage will start at $2,000, while the top-tier 2TB version may retail for $3,000 in the United States. The iPhone Duo name recycles a title previously used by Microsoft for its Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 foldable devices. The starting price is $100 higher than the $1,899 Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, but $99.99 lower than the $2,099.99 Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Device Features and Launch

The iPhone Duo is expected to run side-by-side iPhone apps, handle iPad-like multitasking, and support the Apple Pencil as a stylus. The device will be available in white and dark blue, with shipping starting as soon as October. Apple's new CEO John Ternus will lead the 'Surprise and Shine' event in Cupertino, California, where the foldable is expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, new Apple Watches, and updated AirPods. The ongoing memory shortage is cited as a factor behind the high prices for larger storage variants.

Consumer Interest

A CNET survey found that 75% of US adults are not interested in buying Apple's foldable phone. Among the 25% who expressed interest, the average amount they would be willing to spend is $781, far below the $2,000 starting price. The relatively restrained starting price is expected to help stimulate demand despite Apple's rising costs from the memory shortage, according to the leak.