Apple on Wednesday unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, at an event that also served as the public debut of John Ternus as the company's chief executive. The announcement ends years of speculation about whether Apple would enter the foldable device market and signals a major new direction for one of the world's most valuable companies.

The iPhone Duo features a clamshell-style folding design, continuing a form factor that competitors including Samsung have pursued for several years. Apple's entry into the category is widely expected to bring renewed consumer and investor attention to foldable phones, a segment that has grown steadily but has yet to achieve mainstream adoption.

The event was closely watched not only for the hardware reveal but for what it represented institutionally: Ternus, a longtime Apple hardware engineering leader, appearing on stage in the chief executive role previously held by Tim Cook. Analysts noted that the choice to anchor Ternus's first major public appearance to a landmark product launch appeared deliberate, reinforcing continuity in Apple's product-driven identity.

Pricing and full specifications were announced at the event, with the device expected to be available in the coming weeks. The launch sets up a competitive holiday season for premium smartphone makers, with Apple now positioned across a broader range of form factors than at any previous point in the iPhone's history.