Seven days. That’s it. One week from today, at 4pm UAE time, pre-orders open for the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone. One week after that, on Friday 23 October, it lands in your hands.
We’ve already given you the complete getting-ready guide. This is the fun version: one mission a day, so by next Friday you’re relaxed, prepared, and ready to tap that button.
Let the countdown begin. 📱✨
The Countdown Cheat Sheet
Screenshot it, set it as your wallpaper, tattoo it on your forearm. Okay, maybe just screenshot it.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Get Ready opens | Monday 12 October |
| Pre-orders go live | Friday 16 October, 4pm UAE time |
| Launch day | Friday 23 October |
| Starting price | AED 8,499 (256GB) |
| Colours | Star white and night sky |
Day 7 (Friday 9 October): Pick Your Team
Every great launch needs a great rivalry. Team Star White or Team Night Sky? Choose wisely, because this is the phone you’ll be unfolding in meetings, at brunch and on every flight out of DXB.
Can’t decide? Ask the group chat. Then ignore them and pick the one you wanted all along.
Day 6 (Saturday 10 October): Make the Storage Call
A 7.6-inch screen means more videos, more games and more offline Netflix. Pick your size:
- 256GB (AED 8,499): the cloud lover’s choice
- 512GB (AED 9,349): the sweet spot for most of us
- 1TB (AED 11,049): creators and serious gamers, step forward
- 2TB (AED 13,599): for anyone with 30,000 photos of their cat and no plans to delete a single one
Day 5 (Sunday 11 October): Go eSIM
The Duo is eSIM-only worldwide, so today’s mission is quick: check your e& or du plan supports eSIM, and if you’re still on a physical SIM, get it converted now. Future you on launch day will be very grateful.
Day 4 (Monday 12 October): Get Ready Day 🚀
It’s Get Ready day. Head to the Apple Store app or apple.com and set up your perfect Duo: colour, storage, payment, trade-in and accessories, all locked in. When Friday arrives, you’re one tap from checkout.
Pro tip: Get Ready is the warm-up, not the main event. You still need to hit “buy” when pre-orders open.
Day 3 (Tuesday 13 October): The Great Screenshot Purge
Back up your current iPhone, update to iOS 27, and finally deal with those 4,000 screenshots of memes you swore you’d send to someone. Your shiny new storage deserves a fresh start.
Day 2 (Wednesday 14 October): Dress It Up
Two screens deserve a little protection. Go for the slim iPhone Duo Case (AED 319), or the Folio with Kickstand (AED 529), which turns your Duo into a mini cinema on any cafe table. Both go on sale on pre-order day.
While you’re at it, check your charger. With the right high-wattage USB-C adapter, the Duo hits 50% in around 20 minutes.
Day 1 (Thursday 15 October): Practise Your Unfold
Tomorrow’s the big day. Set your alarm for 3:50pm, then a backup alarm, then ask a friend to call you at 3:55 just in case. Double-check Apple Pay and your delivery address.
Optional but highly encouraged: practise your dramatic unfold with a paperback book. Slow and confident. You’ve got this.
Day 0 (Friday 16 October): GO TIME 🎉
4pm. Tap. Done. Welcome to the foldable club.
Now the hardest part begins: waiting seven more days. Use them to dream up your first Split View combo, plan your first Duo Preview group shot at the Marina, and decide which lucky friend gets the first unfold demo.
See You on the 23rd
The iPhone Duo is the most exciting iPhone in years, and the countdown is officially on. Follow along this week for more Duo coverage, and stay tuned for our full review once we’ve folded, unfolded and fallen in love with it.
Seven days. Two screens. One very happy Friday. 📱💕
