Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is now available to pre-order in the UK, with some retailers offering up to £855 off the price for customers trading in an older device. The device, unveiled at the 'Surprise and Shine' event over a month ago, will hit UK shelves on Friday, October 23.
Where to pre-order the iPhone Duo
UK shoppers can choose from a range of options, including upfront purchases, pay-as-you-go contracts, and trade-in deals. Three Mobile is offering the largest discount, cutting up to £855 off the price for customers trading in an iPhone 17 Pro Max 2TB. The exact discount varies depending on the model and condition of the phone handed in.
Vodafone also offers a substantial trade-in deal: customers buying the 256GB model can reduce the price from £1,999 to £1,144, a saving of £855 when trading in an iPhone 17 Pro Max. EE customers can save up to £750 with trade-in. For those not trading in, Mobiles.co.uk offers £75 cashback when referring a friend.
iPhone Duo price and availability
The iPhone Duo opens like a book to reveal a 7.6-inch inner display, offering a mini-tablet experience in a pocketable form. It is Apple's first foldable, and production has been increased by 30% compared to previous iPhone launches, indicating high demand.
All major UK providers, including Vodafone, Sky Mobile, EE, O2, giffgaff, Mobiles.co.uk, and Three Mobile, are accepting pre-orders ahead of the October 23 release. Retailer stock is fluctuating, with some sites showing delivery dates in January 2027. giffgaff is currently out of stock for all data sizes, but the page is expected to refresh by Friday.
Pros and cons of the iPhone Duo
The iPhone Duo's large screen is 50% bigger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, making it ideal for multitasking, such as reading emails, booking train tickets, or replying to messages. It also features a Touch ID fingerprint scanner, a nod to earlier iPhone models, and is powered by the A20 Pro processor, the same chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro.
Technology Editor Dave Snelling, who tested the device in California, said: "I've only had a relatively short time with the iPhone Duo, but it's already clear this is a seriously impressive bit of kit. It's also a lot of fun to use." However, he noted the price is a major drawback: "The biggest problem for most Apple fans is likely to be the price. The entry-level model with 256GB of storage starts at £1,999 - and things get considerably more painful for your wallet if you start increasing the storage. Fully loaded, you could be looking at well over £3,100."
That's more expensive than many Android rivals. The Google Pixel Pro Fold 11 starts at £1,799 for the 256GB model, £200 cheaper than the Duo, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at £1,699.
One standout feature is Smart Take, which automatically captures photos based on a person's posing, eliminating the need for a timer or tripod, thanks to the foldable design that props the phone up. The camera and filming upgrades are particularly appealing to those who value photography.
With pre-orders now open and trade-in deals offering significant savings, UK consumers have a limited window to secure the iPhone Duo before it hits shelves on October 23.
