A month after the keynote that introduced it, Apple is getting ready to put the iPhone Duo on sale. The first foldable iPhone in the company’s history faces a real test: whether consumers actually want a device of this kind, or whether this is a bubble waiting to burst.
Pre-orders open on Friday, October 16, at 2:00 p.m. Italian time (8:00 a.m. ET), with shipping expected the following week. When you check out on Apple’s website, you are asked whether to add AppleCare+, the Cupertino company’s own extended warranty. Is it really worth it? Given the repair costs that emerged in the past few hours, probably yes.
How much it costs to repair an iPhone Duo
The iPhone Duo is the most expensive iPhone ever made, both for buyers and for Apple itself. It starts at €2,369 (about $2,560) for the 256 GB version and runs to €3,869 (about $4,180) for the 2 TB tier. AppleCare+, which covers unlimited accidental damage repairs and free battery replacement, costs €359 (about $390) for the two-year plan or €17.99 a month.
There is also an extended tier that adds theft and loss coverage, at €429 (about $465) for two years or €20.99 a month. And without AppleCare+? Apple has published the full out-of-warranty price list on its website:
| Type of damage | Price | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Display cover layer | €55 | $60 |
| Back glass | €219 | $235 |
| Battery service | €269 | $290 |
| Rear camera | €269 | $290 |
| Outer screen | €489 | $530 |
| Outer screen and back glass | €629 | $680 |
| Inner screen | €1,149 | $1,240 |
| Other damage | €1,719 | $1,855 |
These are Apple’s euro prices for the Italian market; the dollar figures are straight conversions at about 1.08 and are not Apple’s US price list. Worth noting, too, that these are estimates only: Apple Authorized Service Providers may set their own rates and issue their own quotes.
Why it pays to add AppleCare+
Put side by side, the numbers make the case for pairing an iPhone Duo purchase with an AppleCare+ plan. Battery replacement is free, repairs to the inner screen, the outer screen or the back glass cost €29 (about $31), and any other damage is billed at a flat €99 (about $107).
You can add the plan directly from the pre-order page. If you skip it at checkout and change your mind later, you have 60 days from the purchase date to sign up on your own: open Settings and go to General > About > AppleCare+ Coverage Available. Once you have picked the plan you want, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the payment securely with your Apple ID.
Editor’s note
This article was originally published in Italian on money.it by Pasquale Conte on October 15, 2026 as «Quanto costa riparare iPhone Duo senza AppleCare+? Le tariffe fuori garanzia fanno discutere». It has been translated and adapted for an international audience by the Money.it International desk.
