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TIME Names Apple iPhone Duo a Top 2026 Invention

The magazine featured Apple CEO John Ternus on its cover as it recognized the new foldable device as a top innovation.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Remote Work

A close-up studio shot of a high-end foldable smartphone partially opened, highlighting the metallic hinge and unique surface texture.
TIME magazine has recognized Apple's new iPhone Duo as a top invention of 2026, marking the company's entry into the foldable smartphone market. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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TIME magazine has named the Apple iPhone Duo one of the best inventions of 2026, featuring CEO John Ternus on the issue cover. The smartphone marks a major new entry in the foldable device market.

Why it matters

Apple developed the device to avoid the low-quality perception that has plagued earlier foldable smartphone designs from other manufacturers. By utilizing custom materials and complex engineering, the company aims to set a new standard for foldable hardware.

The iPhone Duo hinge houses more than 100 internal precision components to ensure structural integrity. Apple Intelligence on the device incorporates Gemini technology.

The players

John Ternus

John Ternus is the CEO of Apple who worked closely with design teams to bring the iPhone Duo to market.

Apple

Apple is a global technology corporation that specializes in the design and manufacturing of consumer electronics.

The details

The device features a unique nanotexture surface constructed from a custom polymer developed by connecting suppliers worldwide. During his early tenure, CEO John Ternus worked directly with industrial-design and human-interface teams to refine the project.

Timeline

  1. John Ternus and five engineers filed a patent for foldable devices in 2011.

  2. TIME named the iPhone Duo a best invention in 2026.

Market Landscape

The entry of the iPhone Duo into the foldable smartphone market signals an intensification of the hardware competition among major tech firms. This move shifts market share by challenging existing foldable designs with a new focus on precision engineering and custom surface materials.

The iPhone Duo launch provides consumers with a new option in the premium foldable category, though availability and pricing details will determine its accessibility. Users will experience the integration of Gemini technology within the Apple Intelligence ecosystem.

The takeaway

Innovation in foldable technology requires balancing aesthetic design with significant interior mechanical complexity. Consumers should consider how new surface materials like nanotexture polymers will perform in daily, high-use environments.

Further reading

For more information on how technology firms are evolving their operations, visit the United States Remote Work section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by 9to5Mac.

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