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Apple launched its first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, on Friday, making the device available worldwide at a price of roughly $2,000. The launch was less fan‑fare than previous iPhone releases, with sales limited to two units per customer and a mix of pre‑orders and walk‑in purchases. Demand exceeded supply, prompting Apple to push delivery dates back to late January. The iPhone Duo is Apple’s entry into a market dominated by Samsung and Huawei, who have sold premium foldable phones for years. The device is a test of whether Apple can replicate its past success in redefining smartphone categories. The launch coincided with the appointment of John Ternus, former hardware chief, as Apple’s new CEO in September. Apple opened stores in Singapore, Shanghai, London, San Francisco, Sydney, Austin, and New York on launch day. In Sydney, a queue formed outside the first Apple store before opening at 8 a.m. local time. In Austin, Ternus personally greeted customers at the store, a video of which was posted on X. In New York, marketing head Greg Joswiak opened the Fifth Avenue store to a crowd that had camped outside since 4 a.m. local time. Customers who pre‑ordered online were able to pick up the phone in China, France, Hong Kong, India, and Japan. In Hong Kong, a 38‑year‑old reseller bought a 256‑GB Duo for HK$17,499 ($2,231.73) and planned to resell it for a profit of about HK$4,000. In Shanghai, a 26‑year‑old healthcare professional queued from 6 a.m. to purchase the device, citing brand trust as a key factor. Early reviews praise the Duo’s design and its “barely visible” hinge, a significant improvement over earlier foldable models that suffered from visible creases. However, reviewers note camera limitations, including the absence of a telephoto lens, and that third‑party apps still need optimization for the new display size. Some reviewers, such as John Gruber, describe the phone as a polished prototype rather than a finished product, while Marques Brownlee suggests it may appeal only to users willing to pay the premium price. Patrick Wolter, a YouTube creator in Berlin, highlighted the Duo’s dual functionality as a phone and tablet, noting that it could replace the need for a separate tablet. Market analysts predict that Apple could capture a significant share of the foldable market. IDC’s Francisco Jeronimo forecasts that Apple will hold 44 % of the foldable market value in 2026, representing 31 % of units shipped, and become the market leader in both value and units by 2027. Jeronimo emphasized that the next challenge for Apple will be converting initial excitement into widespread availability and adoption. Article source: Indian Express | Image credit: Indian Express
Apple launched its first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, on Friday, making the device available worldwide at a price of roughly $2,000. The launch was less fan‑fare than previous iPhone releases, with sales limited to two units per customer and a mix of pre‑orders and walk‑in purchases. Demand exceeded supply, prompting Apple to push delivery dates back to late January. The iPhone Duo is Apple’s entry into a market dominated by Samsung and Huawei, who have sold premium foldable phones for years. The device is a test of whether Apple can replicate its past success in redefining smartphone categories. The launch coincided with the appointment of John Ternus, former hardware chief, as Apple’s new CEO in September. Apple opened stores in Singapore, Shanghai, London, San Francisco, Sydney, Austin, and New York on launch day. In Sydney, a queue formed outside the first Apple store before opening at 8 a.m. local time. In Austin, Ternus personally greeted customers at the store, a video of which was posted on X. In New York, marketing head Greg Joswiak opened the Fifth Avenue store to a crowd that had camped outside since 4 a.m. local time. Customers who pre‑ordered online were able to pick up the phone in China, France, Hong Kong, India, and Japan. In Hong Kong, a 38‑year‑old reseller bought a 256‑GB Duo for HK$17,499 ($2,231.73) and planned to resell it for a profit of about HK$4,000. In Shanghai, a 26‑year‑old healthcare professional queued from 6 a.m. to purchase the device, citing brand trust as a key factor. Early reviews praise the Duo’s design and its “barely visible” hinge, a significant improvement over earlier foldable models that suffered from visible creases. However, reviewers note camera limitations, including the absence of a telephoto lens, and that third‑party apps still need optimization for the new display size. Some reviewers, such as John Gruber, describe the phone as a polished prototype rather than a finished product, while Marques Brownlee suggests it may appeal only to users willing to pay the premium price. Patrick Wolter, a YouTube creator in Berlin, highlighted the Duo’s dual functionality as a phone and tablet, noting that it could replace the need for a separate tablet. Market analysts predict that Apple could capture a significant share of the foldable market. IDC’s Francisco Jeronimo forecasts that Apple will hold 44 % of the foldable market value in 2026, representing 31 % of units shipped, and become the market leader in both value and units by 2027. Jeronimo emphasized that the next challenge for Apple will be converting initial excitement into widespread availability and adoption.
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