Apple's Foldable Might Be Called iPhone Duo

September 09, 2026 subimpact team 0 comments

Apple's Foldable Might Be Called iPhone Duo

Apple's first foldable smartphone, widely expected to be unveiled at the company's September 2026 event, is reportedly named the iPhone Duo, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The device, manufactured by Apple, belongs to the foldable smartphone category and aims to combine a large display with a compact, pocketable form factor. The name "iPhone Duo" replaces earlier speculation of "iPhone Fold" or "iPhone Ultra," and the device is expected to start at US$2,000 (approximately RM8,136).

Key Facts

AttributeValue
Reported nameiPhone Duo
Expected starting price (US)US$2,000
Expected starting price (Malaysia, converted)RM8,136 (based on current exchange rate)
Reported launch windowAs early as October 2026
Potential exclusive initial marketUnited States (per August 2026 report)
Stylus supportApple Pencil (reported)
Key competitorsSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (RM7,299) and Z Fold8 Ultra (RM8,099)
EventApple "Surprise and Shine" – scheduled for 2am Malaysia time

What Is the iPhone Duo?

The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable smartphone, expected to be announced at the company's September 2026 event. It is designed to offer a larger screen area while maintaining a portable form factor, addressing the trade-off between display size and device footprint. The name was first reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and corroborated by leakster Majin Bu.

"iPhone Ultra" won't be the name of Apple's first foldable iPhone; from what I've heard, the name will actually be "iPhone Duo".

— Majin Bu (@MajinBuofficia) on X, September 7, 2026

Apple's first foldable smartphone is reportedly named the iPhone Duo, not the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

How Much Will the iPhone Duo Cost?

According to Gurman, the iPhone Duo will start at around US$2,000, which converts to approximately RM8,136 based on the current exchange rate. This places it in the same price bracket as Samsung's premium Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, which starts at RM8,099 in Malaysia. Apple's actual local pricing may differ after taxes, currency conversion, and regional pricing adjustments.

For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at RM7,299, while the more premium Z Fold8 Ultra starts at RM8,099. The reported US pricing of the iPhone Duo is roughly equivalent to the Z Fold8 Ultra's Malaysian starting price, though final local pricing remains unknown.

The iPhone Duo's reported US$2,000 starting price converts to approximately RM8,136, making it comparable to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra in Malaysia.

When Will the iPhone Duo Be Released?

Gurman reports that the iPhone Duo could go on sale as early as October 2026, suggesting it may not launch simultaneously with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. An earlier August report indicated the device could initially launch exclusively in the United States before expanding to other markets, due to production issues with the foldable display and hinge.

Apple may unveil the device in September but reveal retail pricing and wider availability at a later date. Whether the October launch applies only to the US or includes other markets remains unclear.

The iPhone Duo is expected to go on sale as early as October 2026, potentially later than the iPhone 18 Pro series, with a possible US-only initial launch.

Will the iPhone Duo Support Apple Pencil?

Yes, according to Gurman, the iPhone Duo will support the Apple Pencil. This feature would give it an advantage over Samsung's latest foldables, as the Galaxy Z Fold8 series does not support the S Pen. Apple had previously been testing the stylus with the foldable, and now reports confirm the accessory will be supported.

If accurate, stylus support could become a key differentiator for the iPhone Duo, appealing to users who need precision input for note-taking, drawing, or document annotation.

The iPhone Duo is reported to support the Apple Pencil, a feature absent from Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 series, potentially giving it a unique advantage.

How Does the iPhone Duo Compare to Samsung's Foldables?

Based on reported pricing, the iPhone Duo (US$2,000 / RM8,136) sits between Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 (RM7,299) and the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (RM8,099) in Malaysia. However, the iPhone Duo's local price could differ significantly after taxes and regional pricing. The key differentiator is stylus support: the iPhone Duo reportedly supports Apple Pencil, while the Galaxy Z Fold8 series does not support the S Pen.

DeviceStarting Price (Malaysia)Stylus Support
iPhone Duo (reported)~RM8,136 (converted from US$2,000)Apple Pencil (reported)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8RM7,299No S Pen
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 UltraRM8,099No S Pen

At a reported US$2,000, the iPhone Duo is priced similarly to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, but it may stand out with Apple Pencil support.

Common Questions

Will the iPhone Duo be called the iPhone Ultra?

No. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and leakster Majin Bu both report that Apple's first foldable will be named the iPhone Duo, not the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold. The name "iPhone Ultra" was previously rumored but has been dismissed by these sources.

When will the iPhone Duo be available in Malaysia?

The exact Malaysian availability is unknown. The device could go on sale as early as October 2026, but an earlier report suggests a US-only initial launch. Apple may reveal regional availability and pricing at a later date, so Malaysian release details remain unconfirmed.

Does the iPhone Duo support the Apple Pencil?

Yes, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the iPhone Duo will support the Apple Pencil. This would be a notable feature, as Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 series does not support the S Pen, giving the iPhone Duo a potential advantage for stylus users.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on reporting from Bloomberg (via Mark Gurman) and a post on X by leakster Majin Bu, as cited in the original Lowyat.NET article. The original source is: Will Apple’s Foldable Smartphone Be Called The iPhone Duo? (Lowyat.NET, September 2026).

Currency conversion from US$2,000 to RM8,136 is based on the exchange rate mentioned in the source. All facts, figures, and quotes are taken directly from the provided source material. This article was last updated on September 9, 2026.

Twitter Facebook
Link copied to clipboard!