Apple's foldable ambitions may reach well beyond its first entry in the category, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman writes that the company is likely to eventually release an iPhone Duo Max, a larger-screened companion to the recently unveiled iPhone Duo.

Why Apple chose the 'Duo' name

Gurman explains that the naming decision was deliberate and strategic. In the months before the launch, he had reported that some Apple employees were internally referring to the device as the "iPhone Ultra," a label he suggests may have been shaped by media coverage and leaker speculation.

Apple ultimately settled on the three-letter "Duo" suffix instead. According to Gurman, that choice keeps the branding consistent with existing suffixes like Air and Pro, while leaving room for additional variants that would not have paired naturally with "Ultra."

A wider foldable lineup

That flexibility appears central to Apple's plans. Beyond the iPhone Duo Max, which Gurman expects would feature a bigger display, he raises the possibility of other models down the line. These could include a "Duo SE" with stripped-down specifications and a "Duo Mini" built around a clamshell design.

If accurate, the approach would mirror how Apple has segmented its existing iPhone range across price points and form factors, giving the foldable category multiple tiers rather than a single flagship device.

Gurman expects foldables to go mainstream

Gurman is bullish on the iPhone Duo's prospects. He says he fully expects it to become the predominant foldable phone on the market, crediting its software adaptations, hardware quality, and durability relative to rival foldables.

He goes further, describing the device as "so impressive" that it could "turn foldables into the new normal." That framing positions Apple as a potential catalyst for a category that has so far struggled to reach mass adoption despite years of effort from Android manufacturers.

As with all pre-release reporting, these details remain speculative and are subject to change. Apple has not confirmed any future foldable models beyond the iPhone Duo, and the timing and specifications of any Duo Max, Duo SE, or Duo Mini remain unofficial.

Still, the reported roadmap suggests Apple views foldables not as a one-off experiment but as a lineup it intends to grow, much as it did with the original iPhone. For readers weighing whether to invest in a foldable, the prospect of multiple size and price options could make the category more accessible over time.