Apple revealed a new foldable smartphone at its fall 2026 event, an iPhone model shaped like a passport. The device is called the iPhone Duo and it has a unique design that opens into a wider screen while staying compact when closed. The phone’s outer screen is 5.4 inches and the inner one is 7.6 inches, both with high resolution displays. Apple said it used a special kind of flexible glass and titanium in the construction to make the screen more durable.
The iPhone Duo is expected to last about 24 hours on a single charge under normal use, according to Ars Technica. The phone will be available next month and starts at $1,999, which is in line with other high-end foldable phones.
Apple also introduced new features for the Apple Watch at the same event, according to a report from TechCrunch. These include Live Rewind, which lets users go back and transcribe what was said in the last 15 seconds by pressing a button, news.google.com reported. The feature works through Apple’s new Siri app and can help remember things like book recommendations or ideas from meetings.
Another new function is called Siri Recap, which takes notes on conversations and summarizes them using AI. This feature gives titles, summaries, and key points but not exact transcripts of what was said. Apple says the new features are meant to help with accessibility and everyday tasks.
The company also noted that these functions do not save audio recordings and use encryption for privacy protection. Users can choose when to turn on Siri Recap and can disable it at any time from Control Center.
Apple’s approach to these new features has raised questions about privacy and consent. Some experts worry that the ability to record audio without obvious action could change how people behave in social settings. Legal concerns also exist about whether text-based transcripts from the watch can be used as evidence in court.
Apple’s new watch features are part of a broader move toward AI-powered personal assistants that can listen and process information. Other companies like Amazon and startups have also developed similar tools for recording and summarizing conversations.
Apple’s approach focuses on making the technology useful for people who are deaf or hard of hearing first. The audio intelligence feature can alert users to sounds like alarms and sirens even when their phone is not nearby.
This kind of assistive technology has little controversy, unlike the newer live recording features. Apple also said its new watch features are designed to avoid being always on like some other devices.
Still, the company is walking a tight line between helpful tools and privacy risks.
The event also included other updates for Apple’s ecosystem, such as support for the Apple Pencil on the new iPhone Duo. The company also made changes to how apps and system elements work with the foldable screen. These include a new split-screen layout and repositioned buttons to make better use of the wider display.
Apple’s new iPhone Duo is part of a growing trend in mobile technology toward larger, more versatile devices. The company has long been known for its focus on privacy and user experience, but these new features may change that perception.
Whether consumers will accept the new watch features remains to be seen.