'Welcome to Foldables': Samsung braces for Apple's foldable iPhone challenge
Apple has entered the collapsible phone market with the release of the iPhone Duo, priced at $1,999. The device launches alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, Watch Series 12, and Ultra 4, creating immediate friction with market competitors. Samsung has openly criticized the release, accusing Apple of copying established collapsible device technology and calling the iPhone Duo a direct ripoff of its own foldable models. Tech analysts are now comparing Apple's new device directly against rival hardware such as the Galaxy Z Fold8 and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ Apple released the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, priced at $1,999.
- ✓ The iPhone Duo was announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, Watch Series 12, and Ultra 4.
- ✓ Samsung mocked the iPhone Duo release on social media, accusing Apple of copying collapsible phone technology.
What changed
Tech publications have published direct hardware comparisons evaluating the iPhone Duo against the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Pixel 11 Pro Fold across price, design, cameras, multitasking, durability, and storage.
Live updates
-
Apple iPhone Duo Launches Into Foldable Market
Apple has entered the collapsible phone market with the release of the iPhone Duo, priced at $1,999. The device launches alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, Watch Series 12, and Ultra 4, creating immediate friction with market competitors. Samsung has openly criticized the release, accusing Apple of copying established collapsible device technology and calling the iPhone Duo a direct ripoff of its own foldable models. Tech analysts are now comparing Apple's new device directly against rival hardware such as the Galaxy Z Fold8 and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
Why it matters
Samsung pioneered the foldable smartphone market, making Apple's arrival a major challenge to its hardware dominance. The introduction of the iPhone Duo forces consumers to weigh Apple's ecosystem against mature alternatives from Samsung and Google. Meanwhile, broader technology markets face separate headwinds, as chip stocks recently tumbled following calls from AI leaders to slow development.
What is confirmed
- Apple released the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, priced at $1,999.
- The iPhone Duo was announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, Watch Series 12, and Ultra 4.
- Samsung mocked the iPhone Duo release on social media, accusing Apple of copying collapsible phone technology.
Still unconfirmed
- European chip stocks followed Asian peers lower after leaders of the world called for a slowdown in artificial intelligence development.
What to watch next
- Consumer adoption rates and sales performance data for the iPhone Duo versus the Galaxy Z Fold8
- Further technical breakdown of multitasking and durability features between Apple, Samsung, and Google foldables
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (4)
- www.techrepublic.com — iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold8: Which Foldable Should You Buy?
- www.androidpolice.com — Apple prepares to steal the foldable revolution that Samsung started
- lifehacker.com — How the iPhone Duo Stacks Up to the Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 8
- www.marketscreener.com — Chip Stocks Tumble After AI Leaders Call For Slowdown in Development
-
Apple launches first foldable iPhone Duo at $1,999
Apple has released the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, priced at $1,999. The device was announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, Watch Series 12, and Ultra 4. While the launch represents a major shift in Apple's hardware strategy, it has sparked immediate conflict with Samsung. The South Korean company mocked the release on social media, accusing Apple of copying existing collapsible phone technology and describing the iPhone Duo as a ripoff of Samsung's own foldable offerings.
Why it matters
Samsung has long dominated the foldable market, making Apple's entry a direct challenge to its hardware lead. This move signals Apple's attempt to diversify its phone lineup beyond traditional slab designs.
What is confirmed
- Apple released a foldable phone called the iPhone Duo.
- The iPhone Duo costs $1,999.
- Apple announced the iPhone Duo alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and new watches.
- Samsung criticized the iPhone Duo on social media, calling it a ripoff of its own collapsible smartphones.
Still unconfirmed
- The iPhone Duo is a flop.
What to watch next
- Consumer sales figures for the iPhone Duo
- Samsung's official hardware response or new foldable iterations
- Independent durability reviews of the Duo's folding mechanism
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (11)
- finance.yahoo.com — Apple event live: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro & watches announced
- Apple — Apple unveils iPhone Duo
- The New York Times — Apple Unveils the iPhone Duo, a Foldable Phone That Costs $1,999
- CNN — What it’s like to use the iPhone Duo, Apple’s biggest change to the iPhone in its history
- Reuters — 'Welcome to Foldables': Samsung braces for Apple's foldable iPhone challenge
- 80 Level — Apple Presents iPhone Duo, the First Foldable iPhone
- Fortune — What the iPhone Duo means for Apple
- GSMArena.com — Apple iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 coverage wrap-up - GSMArena.com news
- Business Insider — Will Apple Convince People to Actually Buy a Foldable Phone?
- www.usatoday.com — Samsung welcomes Apple's folding iPhone, then mocks it
- nypost.com — ‘Reheating our leftovers’: Samsung mocks Apple after launching its flop foldable iPhone
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community