iPhone Duo: everything UK buyers need to know.
The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable iPhone – a book-style design that opens from a 5.4-inch cover screen into a 7.6-inch folding inner display. Pre-orders open in the UK on Friday 16 October at 1pm, it goes on sale on 23 October, and early supply is expected to be tight. Here is how UK buyers can be ready – and how a trade-in can take a serious chunk off the price.
iPhone Duo UK release timeline.
- Now: Apple’s “Get Ready” window is open – choose your colour, capacity, trade-in and payment details in advance via the Apple Store app or website.
- Friday 16 October, 1pm UK: pre-orders open.
- Friday 23 October: on sale, with first deliveries.
iPhone Duo UK prices.
- 256GB: £1,999
- 512GB: £2,199
- 1TB: £2,599
- 2TB: £3,199
Two finishes: Star White and Night Sky. That starting price is roughly £700 above the iPhone 18 Pro Max – this is Apple’s most expensive iPhone ever, which makes the trade-in question below worth a minute of your time.
iPhone Duo key specifications.
- Displays: 5.4-inch outer Super Retina XDR + 7.6-inch folding inner Super Retina XDR
- Chip: Apple A20 Pro
- Camera: 48MP Fusion main with sensor-shift stabilisation (no dedicated telephoto)
- Unlocking: Touch ID in the side button – works open or closed
- SIM: eSIM only (dual eSIM)
- Durability: IP68 – up to 6 metres of water for 30 minutes
- Weight: 254g, running iOS 27 with full two-app multitasking
How to actually get one on launch day.
Apple is reportedly managing supply constraints, so day-one stock will go fast. Complete Get Ready now so your configuration and payment are saved, be ready at 1pm sharp on Friday, and decide your fallback (second-choice colour or capacity) in advance. Orders placed in the first minutes get the first delivery wave; later orders may slip into November.
The smart way to fund it: trade in your current phone.
A £1,999 phone sounds different when your current handset covers a third of it. We pay up to £700 for an iPhone 17 Pro Max, £520 for an iPhone 16 Pro Max and £420 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max – guaranteed prices, locked for 14 days, paid the same day your phone passes checks. That 14-day lock matters here: get your quote today, order your Duo on Friday, and send your old phone once the new one arrives. Not sure what yours is worth? See our full trade-in value guide.
iPhone Duo contract deals.
UK networks are expected to list iPhone Duo contract deals from pre-order day. We will compare them here as they go live – check back from Friday, or browse all Apple pay monthly deals in the meantime.
FAQs about the iPhone Duo.
- When can I pre-order the iPhone Duo in the UK?
- Friday 16 October 2026 at 1pm UK time, with the phone on sale from 23 October.
- How much does the iPhone Duo cost in the UK?
- From £1,999 for 256GB, rising to £3,199 for 2TB.
- Does the iPhone Duo have a physical SIM slot?
- No – it is eSIM only, with dual eSIM support.
- Is the iPhone Duo waterproof?
- It carries an IP68 rating – resistant to submersion up to 6 metres for 30 minutes, the same as the iPhone 18 Pro.
- What are the iPhone Duo’s weak points?
- No dedicated telephoto camera, Apple Pencil support arrives after launch, and the price. If those give you pause, the iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers Apple’s best camera for around £700 less.
Want the foldable experience without the wait? Check our refurbished Samsung foldables – Z Fold and Z Flip models from well under half the Duo’s price, graded, tested and under 12-month warranty.