Apple is finally opening the doors to its most ambitious iPhone yet. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo, the company’s first-ever foldable smartphone, begin in India today, Friday, October 16, at 5:30 pm IST. The phone goes on sale a week later, on October 23, through Apple’s online store and select partner retailers across the country.
Announced on September 9, the Duo unfolds a 7.6-inch OLED display out of a device that folds shut like a book. It is also, at Rs 2,99,900 to start, the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold in India. Here is everything buyers need to know before the pre-order window opens this evening.
iPhone Duo price in India
The iPhone Duo comes in two finishes, Star White and Night Sky, and four storage variants. Here is the full India pricing:
- 256GB: Rs 2,99,900
- 512GB: Rs 3,24,900
- 1TB: Rs 3,74,900
- 2TB: Rs 4,49,900
For context, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900 in India. The Duo costs nearly twice as much for a phone that carries the same A20 Pro chip and a smaller camera system. What the money buys is the folding screen and the software built around it, not better photography.
Pre-order timing: what to do today
Pre-orders open at 5:30 pm IST today on Apple’s India online store. Buyers can also walk into Apple Store locations to see the device in person, though ordering happens online or through partner stores.
The booking process is straightforward:
- Visit Apple’s India online store and open the iPhone Duo page.
- Pick your colour (Star White or Night Sky) and storage variant.
- Review payment, No Cost EMI and Apple Trade In options at checkout.
- Enter your delivery address or choose a store collection slot.
- Complete the order and keep the confirmation for delivery tracking.
Apple accepts credit and debit cards, UPI, net banking and other payment methods listed at checkout. If you used the “Get Ready” option earlier this month to pre-build your configuration, you can simply review the saved setup and confirm the order this evening instead of entering everything again.
The headline specifications
The biggest story is the display. The inner panel is a 7.6-inch folding Super Retina XDR OLED, the largest screen ever fitted to an iPhone, with a nano-texture finish that cuts glare and makes the crease harder to notice. Folded shut, you get a 5.4-inch outer display. Both support ProMotion up to 120Hz, Always-On, HDR and up to 3,000 nits of outdoor peak brightness.
- Chip: A20 Pro with a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engine, with a custom vapour chamber for cooling.
- Cameras: 48MP Fusion Main with sensor-shift OIS and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide, plus an outer Center Stage camera and an under-display FaceTime camera.
- Battery: Dual-battery design rated for up to 24 hours of typical use, and up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display. Charges to 50 per cent in around 20 minutes with a 60W or higher USB-C charger.
- Build: Titanium enclosure, Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, IP68 water and dust resistance. The hinge alone uses more than 100 components.
- Software: Ships with iOS 27.1, redesigned for the folding canvas, with Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI built in.
One detail to settle before ordering: the iPhone Duo is eSIM-only worldwide, with no physical SIM tray. Airtel, Jio and Vi all support eSIM in India, so most buyers will be fine, but it is worth confirming your number can move over smoothly.
Launch offers and accessories
Apple is running its usual launch-day incentives. In India, trade-in credit ranges from Rs 4,500 to Rs 81,500 depending on the device you hand over. There is No Cost EMI of up to six months on eligible cards, and instant cashback of up to Rs 7,000 on American Express, Axis Bank and ICICI Bank cards.
Two first-party cases go on sale alongside the phone: a Duo Folio with a retractable kickstand at Rs 14,900 and a lighter two-part case at Rs 8,900. Both work with MagSafe and Qi2. Given that this is a first-generation folding device with a hinge that has to survive years of opening and closing, AppleCare+ is worth a serious look here.
Should you pre-order today or wait?
Honestly, there is no penalty for waiting. The phone only reaches buyers on October 23, and early reviews and hands-on coverage are expected to land before sales begin. That gives you a full week to see whether the foldable design, and the enormous price premium, hold up under real-world testing.
The Duo makes the most sense for a specific kind of buyer: someone who wants the biggest possible iPhone screen in a pocketable form, does a lot of multitasking or video on their phone, and is comfortable paying early-adopter money. If you just want the best iPhone camera or the best value, the iPhone 18 Pro remains the saner pick at nearly half the price.
FAQs
What time do iPhone Duo pre-orders start in India?
Pre-orders begin at 5:30 pm IST on Friday, October 16, on Apple’s India online store.
What is the iPhone Duo price in India?
It starts at Rs 2,99,900 for the 256GB variant and goes up to Rs 4,49,900 for the 2TB model.
When will the iPhone Duo be delivered?
The phone goes on sale from October 23 through Apple India and select partner stores.
Does the iPhone Duo have a physical SIM slot?
No. It is eSIM-only worldwide, with no SIM tray. Airtel, Jio and Vi support eSIM in India.
Which colours is the iPhone Duo available in?
Two finishes: Star White and Night Sky.
Apple has waited years to enter the foldable race while Samsung, Google and others iterated in public. Tonight, Indian buyers get their first chance to decide whether the wait was worth it. We will be watching how the pre-order window plays out through the evening.
