Apple's first foldable went on sale on October 23, 2026, starting at $1,999 in the United States. Apple has no official store in Algeria, and no local offer has appeared in our comparison yet. The most reliable number in Algiers is still the iPhone 18 Pro Max, listed at 388,000 DZD on October 31 in our comparison tool.
The Duo is Apple's most debated launch in years. It has a 7.6-inch screen that opens like a book, a price close to twice that of a Pro Max, and a display fault Apple acknowledged five days after sales began. Here is what is confirmed, what is still unclear, and what it means if you are buying in Algeria.
What Apple announced
Closed, the Duo looks like a small 5.4-inch phone. Open, it becomes a 7.6-inch tablet. Both panels are Super Retina XDR OLED with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The frame is titanium, the phone is 11.3 mm thick when closed and 5.2 mm when open, and it weighs 254 g. It keeps an IP68 rating.
Inside sits Apple's A20 Pro, the same chip as the iPhone 18 Pro, with a vapor chamber and two batteries. Face ID is gone; Touch ID returns in the side button. There are two 48 MP rear cameras, a main and an ultra wide, plus a front camera under the inner display.
Pre-orders opened on October 16. Sales started on October 23 in more than 70 countries, with 28 more markets on October 30. US prices run from $1,999 for 256 GB to $3,199 for 2 TB.
| iPhone Duo | iPhone 18 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 7.6 in + 5.4 in | 6.9 in |
| Chip | A20 Pro | A20 Pro |
| Rear cameras | 48 MP + 48 MP | 48 MP + 48 MP + 48 MP |
| Battery | 4,883 mAh, two cells | 5,567 mAh |
| Weight | 254 g | 249 g |
| US price | from $1,999 | from $1,299 |
Timeline compiled from Apple's announcements and Macworld's tracking.
The fault buyers need to know about
Within a week of launch, owners reported cracks along the inner display's fold, sometimes with bright lines across the panel. Apple responded on October 26. It described the problem as affecting a small number of units and told affected customers to contact AppleCare for a replacement. The cause has not been confirmed.
That matters for two reasons. Replacing the inner panel costs $999 without AppleCare+, according to iFixit's repair pricing cited by Macworld. And a sealed box gives a buyer no way to inspect the fold before paying. An importer selling without a local warranty can leave you with a repair bill larger than a new phone.
Apple has not announced a wider repair program, so the first units deserve caution, especially those arriving in Algeria through unofficial channels.
US launch prices before local sales tax. Sources: Apple and Variety.
Why Algeria is not on the calendar
Apple has no official store or national distributor in Algeria. iPhones sold in Algiers come from importers, independent shops or orders placed abroad. Nothing suggests Algeria is among Apple's announced launch markets.
Global supply makes the wait worse. In the US and UK, delivery estimates slipped to late January 2027 within hours of pre-orders opening. Algerian importers will be buying from stock that is already stretched, then adding shipping, currency and customs costs.
There is no official Duo price in dinars today. Treat any advert that quotes a precise figure without naming the storage, the region and the warranty with suspicion.
Mobilidz survey, October 31, 2026. Active offers only.
The local price is known
The iPhone 18 Pro 256 GB starts at 345,000 DZD in our survey. The iPhone 18 Pro Max 256 GB sits at 388,000 DZD, with about thirty active offers. Both are available now, with either a shop warranty or international Apple coverage depending on the seller. The iPhone range shows the versions, and the catalogue lists the shops selling them.
The Duo will cost more. Its US price is already 1.67 times that of the iPhone 18 Pro. Applying that ratio to the iPhone 18 Pro Max price (388,000 DZD) gives about 647,000 DZD, but that is an estimate, not an observed offer. Until a local shop publishes a listing, use it to plan a budget, not to negotiate.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
12GB RAM · 256GB · 6.9 · Oled Super Retina XDR
Wait for the Duo or buy an 18 Pro Max?
If you want a foldable, wait. Three things are missing: stable local stock, a clear warranty and enough distance from the screen fault. Buying the first unit at a premium, with no recourse if the panel cracks, means paying to be a test case.
If you need a phone now, the iPhone 18 Pro Max at 388,000 DZD remains the safe pick. The 18 Pro at 345,000 DZD is the compact option. The Duo does not promise better photos or longer battery life on paper. It offers a large folding screen, which is a specific use case, not a general upgrade.
What to check with an importer
- The exact model number and its region, not just "iPhone Duo 256 GB".
- The IMEI, matched against the box and the invoice.
- AppleCare+ or a written shop warranty, with its duration.
- The fold and the inner display, tested in front of you before payment.
- The return policy if a bright line appears in the first days.
A serious seller will accept these checks. One who refuses to open the box or show the IMEI is doing you a favour: walk away.
Sources
- Apple, "Open up to new possibilities with iPhone Duo", October 15, 2026.
- Macworld, iPhone Duo guide, updated October 29, 2026.
- Variety, "Apple Introduces iPhone Duo", September 9, 2026.
