Apple details iPhone Duo display and hinge: matte screen, durable torque; pre-orders Oct 16 (PT)

Apple's hardware vice president Tom Marieb spoke to TechRadar about the company's hardware choices for the foldable iPhone Duo.

Apple is using a matte nano-texture display intended to cut glare and reduce the visibility of the device's crease. Marieb asked people to “hold us accountable” for crease visibility and said the matte finish helps hide topology differences that gloss screens make obvious.

The company redesigned the hinge and tuned its torque profile to produce a solid feel when opening and closing. Marieb said Apple wanted to avoid a floppy hinge and to give users a reassuring tactile experience, comparing the closing feel to that of a high-end car door. The hinge enables use in partially folded seated and standing modes as well as fully open and closed positions.

Marieb described the hinge development as involving “a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.” He also briefly discussed Ceramic Shield 2 and his dislike of screen protectors; the full interview appears on TechRadar.

Apple set availability dates: pre-orders begin Oct 16 (PT), with retail launch on Oct 23 (PT). Pricing starts at $1,999.