Apple's First Foldable iPhone Could Be Called Apple iPhone Duo, Could Cost $1,999: What Indian Buyers Should KnowRumours are swirling that Apple's inaugural foldable iPhone may be branded as the iPhone Duo, with a potential launch slated for October. Priced at approximately $1,999, it promises to elevate user experience, especially with possible Apple Pencil compatibility. However, details on its Indian pricing and availability remain unconfirmed. Keep an eye on Apple's September 9 event for the official reveal of this innovative device.Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone at the September 9 event. A latest report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the device could be called iPhone Duo, with a reported starting price of $1,999 for 256GB. It could go on sale as early as October and may support Apple Pencil. Apple has not yet confirmed the name, price or India availability. Key highlightsAbout The AuthorI love telling stories about technology that actually matter. I enjoy going beyond specs and buzzwords to understand how tech is changing the way we live, work and connect. I started my journalism journey in 2015, and over the years, I’ve learned that the best tech stories are not always about the newest gadget, but about why it matters to you. Apple’s first foldable iPhone could reportedly be called iPhone Duo, rather than iPhone Ultra. The reported starting price is $1,999, with the entry model said to offer 256GB storage. Higher-storage versions could reportedly cost close to $3,000. A direct conversion of $1,999 is about Rs 1.90 lakh, but this is not the expected India retail price. Apple could reportedly begin sales as early as October. The foldable may support Apple Pencil, according to the latest report. India pricing and launch timing have not been confirmed. Apple’s September 9 event begins at 10:30pm IST. Apple iPhone Duo: The name could be the first big surpriseApple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to be one of the biggest announcements at its September 9 event. But ahead of the keynote, the name of the device has emerged as an unexpected talking point.According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple could call its first foldable iPhone Duo, with the company reportedly targeting a starting price of around $1,999.The name would represent a departure from earlier reports that referred to the device as the iPhone Ultra. Apple employees have also reportedly used the Ultra name internally, while previous reports had suggested that Apple was still considering several branding options.For now, however, iPhone Duo remains a reported name, not an official Apple product name. Apple has not announced the foldable ahead of its September 9 keynote.The Duo branding would make sense for a book-style foldable, which is expected to offer a conventional outer display when closed and a larger internal screen when opened. In practical terms, it would give users two distinct ways to use the same iPhone.More articles by AuthorTrending Stories iPhone Duo price: $1,999 is not the India priceThe reported $1,999 starting price could make Apple’s foldable one of the company’s most expensive mainstream products.At the September 8 closing exchange rate of Rs 94.8175 to the US dollar, $1,999 converts to roughly Rs 1.90 lakh.However, Indian buyers should not treat Rs 1.90 lakh as the iPhone Duo’s expected MRP.Apple’s US and India prices are not simple currency conversions. Taxes, import duties, distribution costs, regional pricing, storage configurations and Apple's commercial strategy can all affect the final Indian price.For comparison, Apple’s current iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900 in India, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,49,900.That puts the reported US price of the foldable firmly into a different pricing category from Apple’s conventional Pro models.One Indian pricing report has also suggested a figure of around Rs 2.5 lakh for the foldable, but that remains an unconfirmed leak and should not be treated as Apple’s official India price.Apple’s foldable will enter an already expensive Indian marketThe bigger challenge for Apple in India will be how the company positions the foldable against devices that are already available.Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at Rs 1,79,999 in India, while the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra starts at Rs 1,99,999. Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold is priced at Rs 1,86,999.That means Apple will enter an Indian foldable market where buyers already have premium alternatives from Samsung and Google.If Apple’s final India price moves towards the reported Rs 2.5 lakh range, the iPhone Duo would sit above the starting prices of these rivals and become an especially high-end purchase even within the foldable category.Apple’s ecosystem could be the main reason buyers consider paying that premium, particularly for users already invested in products such as the Apple Watch, AirPods and Mac.Why Apple may absorb some memory costsThe reported $1,999 starting price is also notable because Apple is reportedly dealing with higher memory-component costs.Gurman has reported that Apple may absorb some of the increase rather than passing the entire additional cost on to customers.That suggests Apple may be trying to keep the entry price near the psychologically important $2,000 mark.For Indian buyers, though, the eventual MRP will matter more than the US pricing strategy. Even if Apple manages to keep the US starting price below $2,000, local taxes, duties and regional pricing could result in a substantially higher Indian price.Apple Pencil support could make the foldable more than a bigger iPhoneAnother significant detail in the latest report is Apple Pencil support.Earlier reporting suggested Apple had tested a shorter, stubbier Pencil for the foldable but that support might not make it into the final product. The latest report now points in the opposite direction, suggesting that Pencil compatibility could be part of the device.Apple has not confirmed the feature or revealed which Pencil model would work with the foldable.If it arrives, Pencil support could give the larger inner display a more practical role. Users could potentially take handwritten notes, annotate documents, sketch, read larger files and work across multiple apps.That would push the foldable closer to the territory between an iPhone and a compact iPad, although the actual software experience will only become clear once Apple demonstrates the device.iPhone Duo could go on sale in OctoberThe foldable may also arrive later than Apple’s conventional flagship iPhones.The latest reporting points to an October sales window, which could put the foldable several weeks behind the iPhone 18 Pro models expected to be announced at the September event.This would give Apple a two-stage premium launch: the conventional Pro models first, followed by its first foldable.For Indian consumers, the key question will be whether India gets the foldable at the same time.Read Also FAQsWhat is the expected name of Apple's foldable iPhone?Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to be named the iPhone Duo, according to reports.What is the starting price of the iPhone Duo in the United States?The reported starting price for the iPhone Duo in the United States is $1,999 for the 256GB model.When is the iPhone Duo expected to go on sale?The iPhone Duo may go on sale as early as October, shortly after its announcement at the September 9 event.Will the iPhone Duo support Apple Pencil?Yes, according to recent reports, the iPhone Duo may support Apple Pencil, enhancing its functionality for users.What is the anticipated pricing for the iPhone Duo in India?While a direct conversion of the US price suggests an approximate price of Rs 1.90 lakh, actual retail pricing in India has not been confirmed and could be higher, possibly around Rs 2.5 lakh.end of article