The folding iPhone Duo is finally here | The Vergecast Livestream

September 9, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The Vergecast live stream covered Apple’s big fall hardware event, anchored by the long-anticipated iPhone Duo folding phone. The conversation moved through the new iPhone 18 Pro, two Apple Watches, and two AirPods 5 models, but the folding phone dominated. The hosts were joined on-site by editor-in-chief Nilay Patel, who had already handled the Duo, and later by reporter Victoria Song for the Apple Watch deep dive. The event also marked John Ternus’s first appearance as Apple CEO, a transition the panel judged as understated and competent.

The iPhone Duo: Apple’s First Foldable

The iPhone Duo is a passport-style foldable with a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner screen when opened. Dom Preston, who has tested most folding phones on the market, noted that the Duo’s shape and size closely resemble the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, suggesting the Android world had already lined up for what Apple was bringing. But the Duo is not a Pro-level device: it has a dual-camera system, not the triple-camera array on the 18 Pro. Apple is positioning it as a base iPhone experience that folds, not as the best camera or battery phone in its lineup.

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What you'll learn

1 (01:43) **Apple Event Kickoff & First CEO John Ternus** - Jake introduces the show as Apple's "iPhone duo" event wraps, covering the foldable phone, iPhone 18 Pro, two Apple Watches, and two AirPods 5 models.
2 (03:40) **Breaking News: Nilay Patel Joins from Steve Jobs Theater** - Editor-in-chief Nilay Patel calls in live from the demo floor, having just handled the iPhone duo in person.
3 (04:08) **iPhone Duo vs. Android Foldables: High-Level Comparison** - Dom compares the Duo to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8, noting the similar passport-size shape but lower camera spec.
4 (07:09) **Polished Hardware vs. Software Innovation** - The panel debates whether the Duo's hardware or software will set it apart.
5 (10:42) **Nilay's Hands-On: The Duo's Inner Display and Stylus** - Nilay tests the screen's durability and describes the unique software experience.
6 (16:28) **Demo Floor Software Highlights** - Nilay walks through the key app demos Apple is showing off.
7 (18:47) **The Duo's Multitasking: iPad Déjà Vu** - The panel discusses how the Duo's multitasking feels like a version of iPad multitasking from two or three years ago.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Nilay Patel Victoria Song Dom Preston

Show Notes

Live from Apple Park, Nilay Patel and Victoria Song join Jake Kastrenakes, Dominic Preston and Cameron Faulkner to talk about the iPhone Duo and the new Apple Watches. We also talk about the new iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture and the AirPods 5.