Apple's long-awaited foldable is finally here for Indian buyers. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo – the company's first iPhone that opens up like a book – go live in India at 5:30 pm IST today, Friday, October 16, with prices starting at Rs 2,99,900 for the 256GB model. Phones will reach customers and Apple stores from October 23.
That makes the iPhone Duo the most expensive iPhone ever sold in India, with the top 2TB variant crossing the Rs 4.4 lakh mark.
iPhone Duo price in India
| 256GB | Rs 2,99,900 |
| 512GB | Rs 3,24,900 |
| 1TB | Rs 3,74,900 |
| 2TB | Rs 4,49,900 |
| Pre-order start | October 16, 2026, 5:30 pm IST |
| Sale and delivery | From October 23, 2026 |
| Colours | Star White, Night Sky |
In the US, the same phone starts at $1,999. Indian prices are higher because of import duties and GST, a pattern familiar to anyone who has bought an iPhone here.
What makes the iPhone Duo different
Apple unveiled the Duo at its September event alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Rather than chasing the first-mover tag, Apple has entered the foldable market years after Samsung, Google and several Chinese brands, betting that buyers will wait for a polished take.
Two screens, one shape
On the outside is a 5.4-inch display for quick tasks. Open the phone and you get a 7.6-inch inner screen that comes close to a small tablet. Both are OLED panels with 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On support and peak outdoor brightness of up to 3,000 nits, and both share the same aspect ratio so apps look consistent when you switch. The inner screen also has an anti-glare finish.
Chip, cameras and battery
The phone runs on Apple's new A20 Pro chip, which Apple says brings up to 20 per cent faster CPU performance and up to 40 per cent faster graphics compared with the A19 Pro. On the back are two 48MP cameras – a main sensor with a 2x option and an ultra-wide – but there is no dedicated telephoto lens, something photography fans may miss at this price.
Apple rates battery life at up to 24 hours of typical mixed use. With a 60W or higher USB-C adapter, the phone can reach 50 per cent charge in about 20 minutes, while MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging go up to 25W.
Design and other details
- Titanium hinge with a magnetic closure
- Just 5.2mm thick when open and 11.3mm when closed; weighs 254 grams
- Touch ID on the side button instead of Face ID
- IP68 rating, eSIM only, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
- Ships with iOS 27.1, which adds a vertical Dock and Dynamic Island layout for the folding screen
How to pre-order the iPhone Duo in India: step by step
- Open the Apple India online store or the Apple Store app.
- Pick your colour (Star White or Night Sky) and storage size.
- Add any accessories, and choose trade-in or EMI options if you want them.
- Select home delivery or pickup from an Apple Store.
- Complete payment once pre-orders open at 5:30 pm IST.
Select authorised retailers will also stock the phone from October 23, subject to availability. Bank cashback and no-cost EMI offers have been reported on launch, so check the terms at checkout before paying.
Should Indian buyers wait?
It helps to be clear about who this phone is for. The iPhone Duo is built for people who read, edit documents, watch video or juggle multiple apps on the go and want one device that can double as a small tablet.
At close to Rs 3 lakh to start, the iPhone Duo is a luxury product, priced well above most rival foldables on sale in India. Its appeal lies in Apple's software polish and the bigger canvas for reading, video and multitasking. Those who want the best camera zoom, or who are wary of first-generation hardware, may prefer an iPhone 18 Pro Max for now. Early stock is likely to be tight, so buyers keen on launch-day delivery should book quickly.
What happens next
Deliveries and in-store sales start on October 23 in India and more than 70 other markets, with more countries joining on October 30. Apple has also said Apple Pencil support for the Duo will arrive later this year.
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