Apple’s first foldable device, the iPhone Duo, may be the beginning of a new product family rather than a one-off experiment. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman expects a larger iPhone Duo Max and suggests Apple’s choice of name leaves room for cheaper and more compact versions.
Apple employees reportedly referred to the foldable as the «iPhone Ultra» before its launch. The company ultimately chose iPhone Duo — a shorter label that fits naturally alongside familiar suffixes like Air, Pro, Max and SE.
That decision could prove more important than it first appeared. According to Gurman’s assessment, Apple could eventually expand the range beyond the $1,999 model unveiled in September.
Read more: On the hinge: Inside Apple’s 15-year journey to foldable iPhone Duo
What could follow the first iPhone Duo?
Gurman outlined three possible directions:
- iPhone Duo Max: A larger version with more screen space than the current 7.6-inch inner display
- iPhone Duo SE: A cheaper foldable with pared-back specifications
- iPhone Duo Mini: A compact clamshell device that could compete more directly with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip range
Apple has not confirmed any of these models, and Gurman has not provided specifications or release dates.
The immediate priority will be establishing demand for the original iPhone Duo. Apple’s first foldable starts at $1,999 and combines a 5.4-inch outer screen with a 7.6-inch display when opened. It also introduces iPhone multitasking, Apple Pencil support and software designed around the folding hinge.
Read more: iPhone Duo hands-on: perks, flaws and $1,999 trade-offs
Gurman believes the hardware, durability and software could make the iPhone Duo the leading foldable on the market. That remains a prediction, particularly as foldables still occupy a small and expensive corner of global smartphone sales.
Yet the Duo name suggests Apple is thinking beyond a single showcase device. If the first model sells, the familiar Apple playbook would be to stretch the range upwards with a Max and downwards with a more affordable SE.
Read more: Marques Brownlee highlights the iPhone Duo’s pros and cons
