Apple debuts foldable smartphone designed for side by side assistant interaction

Apple introduced its first foldable smartphone, named the iPhone Duo, according to an official press release from the company. The device features a 5.4 inch external screen when folded and expands into a 7.6 inch internal display. A core focus of the hardware layout is allowing users to run digital assistant tools like Siri alongside standard applications in a split view.

For everyday consumers, this shift moves artificial intelligence out of full screen overlays and into a continuous side by side assistant role. Instead of constantly swapping between apps and a chatbot, a user can review photos, notes, or web pages while actively getting help from an assistant. Apple also noted that the device uses stronger protective glass and a reinforced titanium hinge to address historical durability issues with folding screens.

Several practical details remain uncertain, including the retail price and how much battery life the larger screen consumes during heavy AI workloads. It is also unclear how many third party developers will rewrite their apps for dual screen multitasking. This hardware push raises a broader question about consumer habits: will average buyers actually embrace foldable screens for daily productivity, or will higher prices and added bulk keep foldables limited to tech enthusiasts?