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Just hours before the keynote, a report reveals the official name of the foldable iPhone – and it's not the one the device has been known by for months. It also mentions a starting price of $2,000 and a release date no earlier than October.
The information comes from a report by Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, published early this morning. According to the report, the device will be released as the iPhone Duo, referring to its two screens.
Regarding reliability: Gurman's information about release dates and specifications has largely proven accurate in the past. The situation is different with the name – the same author referred to the device as the iPhone Ultra for months, and that Apple's internal practice was the most recent understanding. Doubts about the name first arose in August, but remained unresolved at the time.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The foldable iPhone will officially be called iPhone Duo, not iPhone Ultra.
- According to the report, the entry-level price is $2,000 with 256 GB of storage.
- The largest storage option is expected to cost around $3,000.
- Sales will begin no earlier than October, after the other new iPhones.
- The report mentions a price increase of $100 for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max compared to their predecessors.
The name breaks with the previous norm
For months, the device has been referred to in media reports and apparently also internally at Apple as the iPhone Ultra. The new name, however, puts the focus squarely on the two screens. It hasn't been officially confirmed – until the official launch, it remains secondhand information.
Two price quotes, a range of $1,000
| Information according to the report | Value |
|---|---|
| Entry-level option: 256 GB | $2,000 |
| largest storage variant | approximately 3,000 dollars |
| iPhone 18 Pro compared to its predecessor | $100 more |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max compared to its predecessor | $100 more |
The difference between the smallest and largest configurations is therefore around $1,000, or half the starting price. The reason is explained in the report itself: Apple has missed its own cost targets due to storage shortages and is absorbing some of the costs itself to keep the price at $2,000 – while passing on the costs for the larger capacities.
Euro prices cannot be derived from this. Value-added tax and exchange rates regularly result in a different ratio than a simple conversion would suggest. A reliable answer will only be available with Apple's own price list this evening.
Sales start after the other models
Sales are not expected to begin before October. This aligns with reports about production: output recently reached hundreds of units per day, which would not have been sufficient for a simultaneous launch with the other models.
The report lists the following features: an A20 Pro chip, Apple's C2 modem, two 48-megapixel rear cameras, a 12-megapixel front camera, a magnetic hinge, and support for the Apple Pencil. White and dark blue are mentioned as possible colors.
The entry price makes the headline, the storage capacity makes the bill
The real significance lies not in the number 2,000, but in its relation to the upper limit. Apple is maintaining the round number and recouping the increased costs through the larger production capacities – according to the report, the company is even absorbing some of the costs itself for the entry-level model. This results in a price range that is unusually wide for a single iPhone.
For you, this means: The $2,000 price tag refers to a device with 256 GB, and anyone wanting more storage on the first foldable iPhone will quickly find themselves approaching the upper limit. Previously, figures circulating were significantly higher than the now-stated price – compared to those expectations, the increase is moderate.
Cost pressures are not unique to this model. Memory prices have already disrupted production planning for the entire industry this year, and the $100 surcharge for the Pro models stems from the same cause.
All information is subject to change following the presentation this evening at 7:00 PM CEST. Until then, these are reports, not prices.
Are you betting on iPhone Duo or will it stick with iPhone Ultra? Share your name guess in the comments before Apple reveals the name.
