Apple CEO John Ternus gave the iPhone Duo an unexpected red-carpet moment at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.
Ternus attended the ceremony on September 14, just days after Apple officially unveiled its first foldable iPhone. During an interview with Deadline, he pulled the device from his tuxedo jacket and opened it for the cameras.
The brief demonstration quickly attracted attention online. It marked one of the first public appearances of the iPhone Duo outside Apple’s own product launch event.
The moment also came at an important point for Apple. Ternus officially became the company’s CEO on September 1, succeeding Tim Cook.
Ternus Opens Apple’s First Foldable iPhone
During the red-carpet interaction, Ternus asked Deadline reporter Antonia Blyth if she wanted to see the new phone.
He then took the iPhone Duo from his jacket pocket and unfolded it. Blyth reacted with excitement as the device opened into its larger inner display.
Ternus folded the phone again before putting it back into his pocket.
The demonstration lasted only a short time. However, the appearance generated significant interest because Apple has only recently entered the foldable smartphone market.
The clip also gave viewers a closer look at the product in a real-world setting rather than during a carefully staged Apple presentation.
iPhone Duo Marks New Direction for Apple
Apple introduced the iPhone Duo during its September 9 product event.
The device represents Apple’s first entry into the foldable smartphone segment. The company has entered the market years after Samsung and several other manufacturers launched foldable phones.
The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch outer display. Users can unfold it to reveal a 7.6-inch inner screen.
Apple has positioned the device as a combination of smartphone portability and a larger display experience. The company has also focused on multitasking and productivity features.
The phone uses Apple’s A20 Pro chip and comes with up to 2TB of storage.
iPhone Duo Priced at $1,999
The iPhone Duo will target the premium end of the smartphone market.
Apple has set the starting US price at $1,999 for the device. The company plans to begin accepting pre-orders on October 16.
Retail availability will begin on October 23 in the first launch markets.
The device will be available in Star White and Night Sky finishes. Apple has also confirmed that the phone will support Apple Pencil functionality, although some features will arrive later.
The pricing places the iPhone Duo well above Apple’s conventional iPhone models.
Red Carpet Raises Questions About Display
The Emmys appearance also sparked online discussion about the phone’s inner display.
Some viewers commented that the screen appeared relatively dim under the bright red-carpet lighting. Others questioned the visibility of the display and the foldable screen’s appearance.
However, the conditions at the Emmys were unusual.
Red-carpet areas use powerful lighting for television cameras and photographers. Such lighting can affect how smartphone displays appear on camera.
AppleInsider also noted that the iPhone Duo uses a matte, nano-texture finish designed to reduce glare. That finish can affect how the screen looks under extremely bright lights.
The short appearance therefore does not provide a complete assessment of the phone’s display performance in everyday conditions.
Apple’s Foldable Strategy Gets Attention
Apple’s entry into foldable phones has attracted attention across the technology industry.
Foldable smartphones have existed for several years. Samsung, Google, Motorola and other manufacturers already offer devices in the category.
Apple has taken a later approach to the technology. The company appears to have focused on developing its own design and display technology before entering the segment.
The iPhone Duo includes a hinge system and layered display construction designed to minimise the visibility of the central crease.
Apple has also emphasised durability, portability and multitasking as key parts of the device’s design.
Ternus Makes Early Public Appearance as CEO
The Emmys appearance was also significant because it came shortly after Ternus took over as Apple’s chief executive.
Ternus succeeded Tim Cook on September 1. Before becoming CEO, he served as Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering.
His background in product development has attracted attention as Apple enters a new phase under his leadership.
The iPhone Duo became one of the first major products introduced during his tenure as CEO. His appearance with the device at the Emmys added another layer of visibility to its launch.
Apple Had a Strong Night at the Emmys
The iPhone Duo appearance came during a successful night for Apple’s entertainment business.
Apple TV productions received multiple awards at the 2026 Emmy Awards. The streaming service secured recognition across several categories.
The success included awards for shows such as Widow’s Bay, Pluribus and Slow Horses.
The company’s presence at the ceremony therefore extended beyond its CEO and hardware products. Apple also had a significant connection to the evening through its television and streaming operations.
From Product Launch to Red Carpet
The iPhone Duo’s journey from Apple’s launch stage to the Emmys red carpet happened within just a few days.
Apple unveiled the phone on September 9. Ternus then carried the device to the Emmy Awards on September 14.
The brief demonstration gave the public another view of Apple’s first foldable phone before its October retail launch.
It also showed how Apple can use high-profile public appearances to generate attention around a new product without holding another formal product event.
Buyers Will Have to Wait Until October
Despite the Emmys appearance, customers will still have to wait several weeks before they can purchase the iPhone Duo.
Pre-orders will open on October 16, followed by retail availability from October 23.
The phone’s $1,999 starting price puts it firmly in the ultra-premium segment.
Questions about long-term durability, battery life, camera performance and everyday usability will become clearer once consumers begin using the device.
For now, Ternus’ red-carpet appearance has given the iPhone Duo another burst of attention ahead of its launch.
The brief Emmys demonstration may have lasted only moments, but it placed Apple’s first foldable iPhone in front of a global entertainment audience and marked an early public product moment for Ternus as Apple’s new CEO.