Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, is available to preorder at $1,999. The company announced the device at its "Surprise and shine" event alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Watch Ultra 4.

The preorder window opens one of the most anticipated product launches in Apple's recent history. Few phones have drawn more speculation than a foldable iPhone. The device is now a commercial reality with a firm price.

What hardware does the $1,999 buy?

The iPhone Duo carries a 5.4-inch outer screen. Users unfold it to reach a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display. Apple Pencil support will arrive later this year, according to the company.

The device breaks with recent iPhone practice on biometrics. It lacks Face ID. Instead, a Touch ID sensor sits along the phone's edge and reads fingerprints.

Durability specifications follow Apple's standard playbook. The phone carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. Ceramic Shield 2 covers the back, while Ceramic Shield protects the front display. The Duo runs the same A20 chip family Apple introduced with the rest of the lineup.

How does the Duo fit Apple's portfolio?

Apple positioned the foldable as a companion flagship rather than a niche experiment. It debuted on the same stage as the iPhone 18 Pro, which signals equal standing in the product matrix. The $1,999 price places it at the top of the iPhone range.

The launch ends years of waiting. Analysts and consumers have tracked foldable iPhone rumors for multiple product cycles while Samsung and Google shipped competing devices. Apple has now entered the category with its own hardware and software integration.

What remains uncertain?

The full specification sheet and shipping dates sit behind the announcement. Apple said Apple Pencil support comes later this year but gave no exact date. Readers can find complete specs, pricing tiers and release details at The Verge's full coverage.

Early demand will test whether a $1,999 foldable can move beyond early adopters. Preorder volumes in the coming days will offer the first signal of whether Apple's entry expands the foldable market or merely splits its own flagship sales.