Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Is Coming To Singapore. Is It Worth $3000?

Apple has finally made a foldable iPhone, and it’s a pretty big deal for a company that has spent years watching Samsung and other Android brands experiment with the format. The iPhone Duo opens into a 7.6-inch display, then folds down to a 5.4-inch outer screen, giving you a much larger canvas without having to carry around a tablet. It’s the sort of product that makes you wonder why your phone has been the same shape for so long. But with a starting price of $3,099, the more interesting question is whether this is a genuinely useful upgrade or simply the latest way to spend a small fortune on a phone.

A Bigger Screen, Without The Tablet

The appeal is fairly obvious. Open the Duo and you’ve got a screen that’s 50 per cent larger than the new iPhone 18 Pro Max, which could make a difference if you spend a lot of time watching shows, gaming, editing photos or trying to work from your phone. Both displays share the same aspect ratio, so content scales proportionally as you move between them, rather than feeling like you’re switching between two completely different devices. The inner screen also has a nano-texture finish designed to reduce glare and reflections, which sounds particularly useful if you’re trying to read something outdoors in Singapore.

The real test, though, will be whether the larger display makes everyday tasks easier. iOS 27 introduces split-screen multitasking, allowing you to run two apps side by side for the first time on iPhone. That could be handy for checking directions while messaging, comparing hotel prices while planning a trip, or keeping a recipe open while cooking. You can also save pairs of apps to return to later, which feels like a small but potentially useful addition for anyone who uses their phone for more than scrolling.

The Camera Gets A Few New Tricks

The Duo also makes a case for itself as a camera phone, with a 48MP Fusion Main camera, 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide and Centre Stage front camera. The folding design adds a few features that are actually quite clever. Duo Preview lets you use the outer display to frame a shot, so the person taking the photo can see what’s happening. Smart Take uses on-device AI to automatically capture photos when subjects are posing, while Kid Cue plays Peanuts animations on the outer screen to get children looking at the camera.

That last one feels particularly relevant if you’ve ever tried to get a decent family photo. The Duo FaceTime feature also lets people who are with you join a video call on the outer display, so everyone can share the moment without crowding around one screen. It’s not necessarily a reason to buy a foldable phone on its own, but it’s a good example of how the design could make a difference beyond simply giving you more screen.

Image credit: Apple | Supplied

The Catch: It’s Still A Lot Of Money

Of course, the biggest hurdle is the price. The iPhone Duo starts at $3,099 in Singapore, which is a serious amount of money for a phone, even one that folds. Apple says it has built the device to be durable, with a titanium enclosure, a precision hinge and a scratch-resistant inner display, but there’s still something slightly nerve-racking about spending that much on a device with a moving part. The company says the hinge has been engineered to withstand everyday use, and the phone is rated IP68 for splash, water and dust resistance, but we’ll be interested to see how it holds up in the real world.

Battery life is another thing to watch. The Duo uses two batteries that work together, with Apple claiming up to 24 hours of usage per charge when both displays are used equally. That sounds promising, but the larger screen and more demanding features could make a difference depending on how you use it. The phone also comes with an eSIM-only design, which is supported by local carriers including M1, Singtel and StarHub.

Singapore Pricing And Availability

The iPhone Duo will be available in star white and night sky, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB. Pre-orders open at 8pm SGT on Friday, October 16, with availability beginning Friday, October 23. The iPhone Duo Case will cost $109, while the iPhone Duo Folio with Kickstand will be $179, with both available to order from October 16. Apple also says 0% interest monthly payments of up to 24 months will be available.

Our Take

We’re intrigued, but we’re not quite ready to call it a must-have. The larger screen and new multitasking features could be genuinely useful, especially if you’re someone who uses their phone for work, travel or watching a lot of content. The camera features are a nice bonus, too, particularly if you’re often trying to get a photo of the whole family without handing your phone to a stranger. But at more than $3,000, the Duo needs to do more than fold to justify itself. We’ll be interested to see whether it feels like a genuinely better iPhone, or just a very clever one. For more information, head to Apple Singapore.

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Main image credit: Apple | Supplied