At the Apple event held on September 9th, the first foldable iPhone Duo was unveiled. This launch took place under the leadership of John Ternus, who assumed Tim Cook's duties on September 1st. The design, envisioned with a thin line mimicking the cut of the Apple logo, turned out to be exactly that: a foldable device. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo will begin in the UAE on October 16th at 16:00 for a price starting from 8,499 dirhams.
Previously, information leaks provided a significant portion of the details, including the passport form and the cost. Apple also made its own promises during the presentation. Considering that the offer is reportedly limited, and the Duo is the most expensive iPhone, it is worth carefully examining all details before making a purchase decision.
What Exactly Did Apple Make Foldable?
Regarding the hardware, the information obtained from leaks proved to be highly accurate. A passport form was implemented, featuring an internal screen of 7.6 inches and an external screen of 5.4 inches. There are also two 48MP cameras, no dedicated telephoto lens, and a Touch ID sensor located on the side button instead of Face ID. The price also matched forecasts: leaks indicated a range of 8,500 to 9,800 dirhams, and Apple set the price one dirham below the lower limit at 8,499 dirhams.
The only clear discrepancy was the naming: sources called it the iPhone Ultra. The issue of the fold remains less certain. Leaks claimed that Apple aimed for an almost invisible crease 'regardless of cost,' with a depth of less than 0.15 mm. However, Apple did not make such claims. The company describes it differently, mentioning a matte nano-coating texture which, according to them, makes the crease less noticeable. Nevertheless, the crease remains visible. Whether this will be enough will only become clear once the Duo is in customers' hands on October 23rd, one week after pre-orders begin.
Where Did Apple's Own Statements Prove Inaccurate?
Apple's own statements present a more serious challenge. At the presentation, Ternus mocked competitors' foldable devices for making large screens seem small, concluding films 'within black frames due to overly large black bars.' The iPhone Duo has not escaped this problem. Its 1:1.4 aspect ratio internal screen leaves approximately one-fifth of the panel black around a standard 16:9 video. Although this is less than on more square foldable models, black bars are still present. Applications face a similar issue: many will display between black bars until updated for the new iPhone, and developers only received tools for this after the launch event.
Software promises have limitations related to the UAE. The main feature—Siri AI—is currently only in beta in English, with plans to add five more languages within the current month. The overall Apple Intelligence package supports 16 languages, but Arabic is absent from both lists. Apple's fine print sets daily limits on cloud features, offering extended access 'for future payment.' Apple Pencil support is also expected later this year, not immediately on day one.
The question of availability arises: will the iPhone Duo be enough for everyone? Obtaining the device may prove difficult. Analyst Jeff Pew now expects Apple to release six million units this year, which is less than his initial forecast of seven million, linking this to hinge production rather than demand. The UAE is part of the first wave of over 70 countries, but they share a smaller pool of phones with every other first-wave market. If you do not want to wait long after sales start, pre-ordering may be the only option.
The possibility of trading in old devices can ease the financial burden, as Apple offers a discount from 160 to 3,260 dirhams for an iPhone XS or newer. Furthermore, the iPhone Duo only supports eSIM. In the UAE, this is not a problem, as all telecom operators support eSIM; however, travelers accustomed to buying a local SIM upon arrival will need to use a tourist eSIM.
So, should you set an alarm? Does the iPhone Duo meet all promises? The hardware generally meets the stated parameters, and the price of 8,499 dirhams matches the leaks. The problems lie in other aspects: the crease is present, apps and videos remain in black frames, and AI functions do not work in Arabic. Moreover, the device is launching late. If these points are critical to you, consider the Galaxy Z Fold8 or Honor Magic V6. Both are cheaper and already available for purchase, and Galaxy AI in the Fold8 works in Arabic. If you require an iPhone, set a reminder for October 16th at 16:00.