Apple has introduced its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, marking a design shift away from nearly two decades of single-slab hardware, according to company announcements. Alongside the foldable device, Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which feature a newly designed Fusion camera system and the A20 Pro processor, though regional regulatory hurdles will limit the rollout of the device’s artificial intelligence tools in the European Union.
iPhone Duo Breaks Two Decades of Slab Design
The iPhone Duo measures roughly the size of a passport, according to Apple specifications. When closed, the device features a 5.4-inch external display. Opening the titanium chassis reveals a 7.6-inch internal screen.
Apple constructed the hinge using one hundred individual components and applied a nano-texture screen treatment designed to reduce glare and crease visibility. The device carries an IP68 resistance rating and introduces Apple Pencil support for the first time in the iPhone lineup. Running on a customized version of iOS 27, the system relocates the navigation bar to the side for single-handed thumb control and supports side-by-side multitasking across two distinct applications or two windows of the same app.
Security relies on a Touch ID fingerprint sensor embedded in the side power button, alongside Apple Watch unlocking capabilities. Photography features include Duo Preview, which shows a live framing view on the outer screen for the person being photographed, and Smart Take, a tool powered by the A20 Pro chip that automatically captures photos when AI detects everyone in the frame is ready.
Did you know? The iPhone Duo relies exclusively on eSIM technology and pairs two internal batteries into a single power system to achieve up to 24 hours of balanced dual-screen use.
Pricing and Availability for iPhone Duo
The folding device is available in white and dark blue finishes. In the Czech Republic, base pricing starts at 54,990 korunách for the 256 GB configuration, while the top-tier 2 TB model reaches approximately 70,000 korun, according to retail details. Pre-orders open on October 16, with store availability scheduled for October 23.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Introduce Variable Aperture Optics
The traditional flagship models, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, introduce a 48-megapixel Fusion camera equipped with a variable aperture driven by six laser-etched blades, according to Apple. These blades adjust automatically or manually to manage lighting conditions and depth of field.
Powering the Pro lineup is the A20 Pro processor, delivering a 50 percent increase in memory bandwidth, a seven-core graphics processor, and a dual 16-core Neural Engine for on-device machine learning tasks. Battery performance on the Pro Max reaches up to 45 hours of video playback, with wired fast-charging restoring 50 percent capacity in roughly 15 minutes.
“Při vývoji iPhonu 18 Pro jsme se zaměřili na oblasti, na kterých uživatelům záleží nejvíce: fotoaparát, výkon, baterii a inteligenci,” said Apple vice president of global marketing Greg Joswiak.
Regulatory Hurdles Limit AI Features in Europe
While both Pro models run iOS 27 and integrate Siri AI capabilities designed to process personal context and recognize on-screen content, European users face restrictions, according to Apple. Because of the Digital Markets Act, the integrated Siri AI features are unavailable within the European Union.
The Pro series launches in black, silver, ice, and burgundy. Pre-orders across more than 65 countries begin on Saturday, September 12, followed by retail availability on Friday, September 18. In the Czech market, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at 34,990 korunách za 256GB verzi, while the Pro Max starts at 37,990 korun.
Pro Tip: Choosing Storage Capacity
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I buy the iPhone Duo?
Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo begin on October 16, and official sales start on October 23.
Why is Siri AI unavailable in the European Union?
Apple confirmed that the integrated AI features are restricted in EU member states due to compliance requirements under the Digital Markets Act.
Does the iPhone 18 Pro support physical SIM cards?
Apple’s latest hardware lineup relies exclusively on eSIM technology for cellular connectivity.
What is the starting price of the iPhone 18 Pro in the Czech Republic?
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at 34,990 korunách za 256GB verzi for the 256 GB storage tier.
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