iPhone Duo pre-orders open October 16 — $1,999, and 1.01 million won more than Samsung's Fold8 in Korea
Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo, opens for pre-order on October 16, 2026 and goes on sale October 23 in more than 70 countries and regions. In the US it starts at $1,999 (256GB). In South Korea, Samsung's home market, pre-orders open at 9 p.m. local time at 3.29 million won, about 1.01 million won more than the Galaxy Z Fold8. It opens to a 7.6-inch, 5.2 mm slab but weighs 254 g and is 11.3 mm thick folded, heavier and thicker than most Android rivals. Supply is reportedly limited by low assembly yields.
The three lines
- Timing — pre-orders Oct 16 (9 p.m. KST in Korea), launch Oct 23 in 70+ countries
- Price — $1,999 in the US; 3.29M-5.09M won in Korea, ~1.01M won above the Fold8
- Specs — 7.6-inch/5.2 mm open, 5.4-inch/11.3 mm closed, 254 g, A20 Pro
Key questions
- iPhone Duo price
- **$1,999 for 256GB in the US; 3.29 million won in Korea.** | Storage | Korea | US (reported) | |---|---|---| | 256GB | 3.29M won | $1,999 | | 512GB | n/a | $2,199 | | 1TB | n/a | $2,399-$2,599 (reports differ) | | 2TB | 5.09M won | $3,199 (MacRumors via Technology.org) | Colors: Star White and Night Sky.
- iPhone Duo release date
- **Pre-orders October 16; on sale October 23.** | Time (KST) | Event | |---|---| | Oct 16, 21:00 | Korean pre-orders open (carriers, Apple online, retailers) | | Oct 23, 07:50 | Korean pre-orders close | | Oct 23, 08:00 | Korean launch |
- iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold 8
- **Similar when open, but thicker, heavier and pricier when closed.** | Spec | iPhone Duo | Galaxy Z Fold8 | |---|---|---| | Korean base price (256GB) | 3.29M won | 2.28M won | | Open thickness | 5.2 mm | 4.5 mm | | Weight | 254 g | ~201 g | | Main display | 7.6-inch, 4:3 | — | | Cover display | 5.4-inch | — | | Chip | A20 Pro (2 nm) | — |
Apple's first foldable iPhone goes on pre-order on October 16, 2026, and its toughest test may be in Samsung's home market. The iPhone Duo was unveiled in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro but ships a month later because of early supply problems. It goes on sale October 23 in more than 70 countries and regions. In South Korea, pre-orders open at 9 p.m. local time through all three carriers, Apple's online store and major retailers, and close at 7:50 a.m. on October 23.
Korea is a revealing market: Samsung has refined its Galaxy Z Fold line there since 2019, and Korean buyers can compare the two side by side. On paper, Apple chose a thinner unfolded slab and paid for it in weight, folded thickness and price.
1. Price and timing
The US price starts at $1,999 for 256GB. In Korea it runs from 3.29 million won (256GB) to 5.09 million won (2TB); local prices for 512GB and 1TB were not confirmed at the time of writing. That is about 1.01 million won more than the 256GB Galaxy Z Fold8 at 2.28 million won.
Korean carriers are competing with bundles: SK Telecom advertises up to 2.21 million won in combined benefits, KT about 1.44 million won and LG U+ about 1.13 million won for customers switching carriers. These maximums stack trade-ins, card spending and plan conditions, so real savings vary widely.
2. Specs against the Galaxy Z Fold8
| Spec | iPhone Duo | Galaxy Z Fold8 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korean base price (256GB) | 3.29M won | 2.28M won | ~1.01M won gap |
| Main display | 7.6-inch, 4:3 | — | Nano-texture layer to soften the crease |
| Cover display | 5.4-inch | — | — |
| Open thickness | 5.2 mm | 4.5 mm | Thinnest iPhone (iPhone Air is 5.64 mm) |
| Closed thickness | 11.3 mm | — | Thicker than most Android foldables (9to5Google) |
| Weight | 254 g | ~201 g | Heaviest iPhone ever |
| Chip | A20 Pro (2 nm) | — | Same as iPhone 18 Pro |
| Cameras | 48MP main and ultra-wide | — | Under-display FaceTime camera |
| Water/dust | IP68 (spec table) | — | — |
The 4:3 inner screen makes the Duo behave like a small tablet when open. Folded, at 11.3 mm and 254 g, it is a heavy pocket device. The A20 Pro is built on TSMC's 2-nanometer process — see our explainer on what "2 nm" actually means.
3. Why supply is tight
| Point | Report |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Foxconn yields in the low 60% range (foreign tech media) |
| Quality check | About 60% of assembled units pass Apple's inspection |
| Timing | Launches a month after the iPhone 18 Pro |
| Korea | Initial carrier allocations limited |
Foldable displays demand precise hinges, flexible glass and layered panels; low yields mean more scrap, fewer units and higher costs. Korean outlets expect pre-orders to sell out regardless of price, while others note weak early iPhone 18 sales and strong Fold8 demand make 3.29 million won a real test.
4. What remains open
- Mid-tier prices in Korea are unconfirmed.
- Yield figures are secondhand and unconfirmed by Apple.
- Battery capacity is reported inconsistently.
- Durability of the hinge and crease awaits real-world use.
Sources
- Herald Business — iPhone Duo pre-orders begin at 3.29 million won
- Asia Economy — iPhone Duo pre-orders from 3.29 million won: which carrier is best
- 9to5Google — iPhone Duo is thicker and heavier than basically every Android foldable
- Technology.org — iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold 8: Price, Specs, Trade-offs