Apple is releasing its first foldable iPhone this fall, and this device is commonly referred to as the ‘iPhone Fold’. However, I think the name of this device could be ‘iPhone Duo’.
The foldable iPhone will likely not be called ‘iPhone Fold’
I’ve had doubts for a while about Apple naming its upcoming foldable device ‘iPhone Fold’.
Why? Because other companies have been using the name ‘Fold’ for years. Giving the new iPhone a truly new name would be a great way to make it stand out as something unique and different.
Apple has made similar moves many times before. What I wrote last fall was as follows:
Apple Vision Pro is a great example. You won’t find the term ‘VR headset’ in Apple’s Vision Pro marketing. Why? Because this product is not a VR headset. According to Apple, it’s a “spatial computer.”
Similarly, the company’s artificial intelligence features are not “artificial intelligence,” but “Apple Intelligence.”
Based on this model, I don’t think Apple will follow the ‘Fold’ naming scheme popularized by Samsung and Google for years. The company will want to appear as if it’s doing something new.
Until a few months ago, I thought the name could be ‘iPhone Ultra’.
However, the latest rumors about the design and features of the foldable iPhone changed my mind.
Considering how popular Apple’s Pro models are, I don’t think it would be feasible to sell an ‘iPhone Ultra’ with a worse camera system than the more affordable Pro.
So, if it’s not ‘Fold’ and it’s not ‘Ultra’, what will it be?
My current best guess: iPhone Duo.
iPhone Duo: The perfect name for a 2-in-1 product
This week’s MacBook Neo launch showed that modern Apple is comfortable having fun with product naming.
Why is it called Neo? According to Apple:
We wanted something a little fun, friendly, and fresh, and we felt it really suited the spirit of this product.
I think ‘iPhone Duo’ could also be the name that best fits the “spirit of the product.”
The name ‘iPhone Duo’ came from my colleague Zac Hall. Last fall, shortly after the leak of the ‘iPhone Air’ name, he suggested this as a possibility in our 9to5Mac Slack.
I didn’t pay much attention to the name back then, but it feels quite fitting now.
The latest expectations for the iPhone Fold suggest that the device will be wider than its height and will closely resemble an iPad mini when opened.
How can Apple convey the uniqueness of this two-in-one product?
‘iPhone Duo’ makes sense for at least four reasons:
- It fits the “spirit of the product” as a 2-in-1
- It doesn’t reuse a competitor’s name
- ‘Duo’ has been used by Apple before
- It also resembles MacBook Neo
Finally, saying ‘iPhone Duo’ justifies the premium price point expected to approach around $2,000.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 and the iPad mini at $499. Combining both into a single product doesn’t seem unreasonable at around $1,899.
All of this is speculation, but based on the information we currently have, my best guess for the name of the foldable iPhone is iPhone Duo.
What do you think Apple will name its foldable iPhone? Share with us in the comments.
Best iPhone accessories
- AirPods Pro 3 (limited time $219 price)
- 10-year AirTag battery case 2-pack
- MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone
- Apple’s new AirTag 2 (1-pack / 4-pack)
- 100W USB-C fast charging adapter
Comments
(7 Comments)