The iPhone Duo enters China’s crowded foldable market

Live updates

1. 1d ago

   Apple Enters Foldable Market With $1,999 iPhone Duo

   Apple has officially entered the foldable market by launching the $1,999 iPhone Duo, entering a crowded sector in China and challenging established competitors worldwide. TrendForce reported that the new device is positioned to capture nearly a quarter of the global foldable market in 2026, with projected shipments reaching 5 million units to place Apple second behind Samsung. While market analysts praise the technology behind the launch, questions remain regarding the target customer and mass-market appeal for the high-priced device.

   Why it matters

   The rollout of the iPhone Duo positions Apple to rapidly alter the foldable smartphone category within months of its release. This hardware debut arrives alongside several other new products, including the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, and new Apple Watches. Industry watchers are evaluating whether this device is a singular high-end offering or the beginning of a broader hardware shift toward foldable designs across the product line.

   What is confirmed

   • Apple has launched the foldable iPhone Duo priced at $1,999.
   • TrendForce reported that the iPhone Duo is set to capture 24.8% of the foldable smartphone market in 2026.
   • iPhone Duo shipments are forecast to reach 5 million units, making Apple the second-largest brand in the sector behind Samsung.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman suggested that most iPhones could become foldable within a decade.

   What to watch next

   • Actual sales figures and shipment volumes for the iPhone Duo in China and global markets.
   • Consumer response to the $1,999 price tag and mass-market demand.
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. www.scmp.com — China economy
   2. finance.yahoo.com — Apple Launches $1,999 Foldable iPhone Duo, but Analysts Question Its Mass-Market Appeal
   3. www.theapplepost.com — iPhone Duo could give Apple 25% of the foldable phone market in just months
   4. 9to5mac.com — Is the iPhone Duo just the start, with most iPhones foldable within a decade?
   5. www.theapplepost.com — Apple may be about to change the foldable phone market almost overnight
   6. finance.yahoo.com — Apple Is Coming for Samsung’s Foldable Phone Crown: iPhone Duo Could Capture Nearly 25% of the Market With 5 Million Shipments in 2026, Says Report
   confidence 95%
2. 4d ago

   Apple launches iPhone Duo foldable smartphone

   Apple has entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, priced at $1,999. The device is positioned for a crowded market, particularly in China, where it faces competition from established brands. Projections suggest the iPhone Duo will capture nearly a quarter of the global foldable market in 2026, shipping 5 million units to rank second behind Samsung. The launch coincides with other new hardware, including the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, and new Apple Watches.

   Why it matters

   Folding phones are seeing rapid adoption, with global cumulative shipments expected to reach 100 million by the end of 2026. Apple's entry represents a shift in its hardware strategy to compete with Chinese brands and Samsung. The device's high price point raises questions about its target audience.

   What is confirmed

   • Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone.
   • The iPhone Duo is priced at $1,999.
   • Apple also announced the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, and new watches.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The iPhone Duo was developed, trial-produced, and assembled exclusively in China.
   • The iPhone Duo is projected to capture 24.8% of the global foldable market in 2026 by shipping 5 million units.
   • More than 80 percent of Apple's 200 major suppliers worldwide have manufacturing facilities in China.

   What to watch next

   • Sales data from the Chinese market to determine if the $1,999 price is sustainable
   • Official shipment numbers for the first quarter of 2027
   • Comparative durability tests against the Galaxy Z Fold8
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. Apple — Apple unveils iPhone Duo
   2. CNBC — The iPhone Duo enters China’s crowded foldable market — and faces a price test
   3. The Atlantic — Okay, Sure, a Folding iPhone
   4. Bloomberg.com — Apple’s iPhone Duo, New Watches, iPhone 18 Pro and AirPods 5: Everything to Know
   5. Reuters — Apple’s foldable iPhone poses a $1,999 question: Who is it for?
   6. The New York Times — Why is Apple’s New Foldable iPhone Duo $1,999?
   7. Counterpoint Research — Global Foldable Shipments to Hit 100-million Cumulative Milestone by End of 2026
   8. GSMArena.com — TrendForce: Apple to capture a quarter of the folding phone market in 2026 - GSMArena.com news
   9. Storyboard18 — Simply Speaking: The Fold at the Top of the Market
   10. PhoneArena — Apple's iPhone Ultra will help the foldable market hit a big milestone this year
   11. technode.com — Apple iPhone Duo joins the foldable phone market: do Chinese brands still have the edge?
   12. www.cnet.com — The iPhone Duo Is the Best Foldable I’ll Never Buy
   confidence 90%