The iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone, launches on October 23. When closed, it’s the size of an iPhone; when unfolded, it offers a screen size similar to that of an iPad mini. For site visits, it combines photo-taking, note-taking, and working on plans all in a single device. Archipad will be compatible right from launch.
In summary
- The iPhone Duo launches on October 23, 2026, starting at €2,339.
- Closed, it’s iPhone-sized; open, its 7.6-inch screen rivals an iPad mini.
- Archipad supports the iPhone Duo from day one: iPhone layout when closed, iPad layout when open.
- Compared to an iPad mini, it wins on portability and outdoor readability, but costs more than three times as much.
What the iPhone Duo changes on site
On a construction site, you usually have to pick: your phone for photos and quick notes, or your tablet to read the plans. Or you carry both.
The iPhone Duo removes that trade-off. Folded, it’s a compact 5.4-inch iPhone that slips into your pocket. Unfolded, it opens like a book onto a 7.6-inch screen, almost the size of an iPad mini.
Archipad on the folded iPhone Duo: the iPhone experience
Folded, Archipad works exactly as it does on your iPhone. Your projects, visits, observations and remarks are right where you expect them. The only difference: the navigation bar floats along the right edge of the screen, within easy reach of your thumb.
Spotted an issue on your walk-through? No need to unfold. Your observations stay readable on the plan, and adding a new one takes a single tap.
Archipad on the unfolded iPhone Duo: the iPad experience
When it’s time to work on the plan, just unfold. Archipad switches to its iPad layout: the plan takes up the screen, with your list of observations right beside it. In landscape, the floating navigation bar stays on the right, within thumb’s reach; in portrait, it moves to the top of the screen. Tap an observation to open its details: location, trade and photo.
Your site reports get the same treatment: the list of remarks on the left, the full details on the right. Review and complete your remarks on the spot, without waiting to get back to the office.
Navigation built for the iPhone Duo
Archipad uses Apple’s new navigation bar, which repositions itself automatically depending on how you hold the device: on the right side when it’s closed or open in landscape, at the top when it’s open in portrait.
Everything works just like the rest of your phone, and it’s all easy to use one-handed.
iPhone Duo or iPad mini: which is right for the job site?
| iPhone Duo | iPad mini (7th gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 7.6 inches opened, 5.4 inches closed | 8.3 inches |
| Dimensions | Closed : 11.8 × 8.4 cm, it fits in a pocket | 19.5 × 13.5 cm |
| Weight | 254 g | 293 g |
| Brightness | Up to 3,000 nits outdoors | 500 nits |
| Water and dust | IP68 Certified | No certification |
| Phone | Yes | No |
| Price | Starts at €2,339 (256 Go) | Starts at €689 (128 Go) |
The iPhone Duo is for you if you want a single device for site visits, or if you’re on several sites in a day.
The iPad is still the right call for tighter budgets or for equipping a whole team. For large plans, 11- or 13-inch iPads remain more comfortable. And there’s no need to choose: Archipad runs on both.
Ready from launch day
Our iOS team prepared this update well ahead of time, working on the iOS betas. The result: Archipad supports the iPhone Duo from the moment it’s released, with no waiting for a later update.
Manage your construction sites with Archipad
Archipad is the site management app for architects and construction professionals: site visits, observations, reports and documentation, on iPhone and iPad, even offline.
Conclusion
The iPhone Duo won’t replace every tablet, but it solves a familiar problem on site visits: having to choose between the portability of a phone and the comfort of a bigger screen. For Archipad users, the switch is seamless: the app is ready for the foldable format from day one, with no change to how they work.
FAQ
1. Can the iPhone Duo replace an iPad mini on site?
For most site visit tasks, yes. Unfolded, its 7.6-inch screen is close to the iPad mini’s 8.3 inches, and it fits in your pocket when folded. For long sessions on large plans, an 11- or 13-inch tablet is still more comfortable.
2. What do I need to do to use Archipad on the iPhone Duo?
Nothing special: just install or update the app from the App Store. The layout then adapts automatically, whether the device is open or closed.
3. Does Archipad change on a regular iPhone?
No. The new navigation bar is specific to the iPhone Duo; on other iPhones, the app stays the same.
4. Are projects synced between the iPhone Duo and the iPad?
Yes, just like between an iPhone and an iPad today. Your plans, observations and remarks stay up to date across all your devices.
