iPhone Duo vs iPhone Air: Foldable Costs $900 More Than Slim Rival

Apple's foldable iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the US, a full $900 above the iPhone Air's $1,099 entry price, according to TechRadar. The publication compared the two handsets, noting that each fills a different role in Apple's lineup.

The Duo arrived in September 2026 and started shipping the following month, TechRadar reports, and is now available worldwide. The Air is older, having launched in September 2025, and remains on sale because no successor has appeared.

Buyers of the Duo pick from four storage tiers. The 256GB model is $1,999, the 512GB is $2,199, the 1TB is $2,599 and the 2TB is $3,199. UK and Australian pricing follows the same pattern, with the cheapest Duo at £1,999 or AU$3,499.

The Air comes in three versions. Its 256GB model costs $1,099, the 512GB is $1,299 and the 1TB is $1,699, with no 2TB option. TechRadar notes the Air is often discounted at third-party retailers such as Amazon, so the $900 gap is the worst case.

The main difference is the Duo's second display. It pairs a 7.6-inch foldable Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a 5.4-inch cover screen, which TechRadar says makes it far more capable than the Air. The extra screen also makes it heavier and much pricier.

Weight tells the story. The Duo weighs 254g, while the Air comes in at 165g. Unfolded, the Duo measures 5.2mm thick, slimmer than the Air's 5.6mm, but folded shut it grows to 11.3mm. TechRadar describes the Air as one of the most comfortable phones to hold for long stretches.

Both phones share a Ceramic Shield 2 front, a Ceramic Shield back, a titanium frame and an IP68 dust and water rating. TechRadar points out that foldables are inherently more fragile than single-screen phones.

The Air cannot match the Duo for photography or flexibility, according to the comparison. With the savings, TechRadar suggests a buyer could add an iPhone 17 or an iPad Air.