Apple starts selling first foldable iPhone
Apple has started selling its first foldable iPhone, the Duo, with analysts viewing its reception as a key test for new CEO John Ternus and a potential boost to the foldable phone market. Pre-orders have exceeded supply, while reviewers have praised the design and hinge but warned of a high price, limited camera capabilities, unoptimized apps, and limited practicality.
The sale of Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, began today, with market analysts watching to see if the device will succeed in changing the foldable phone market, just as the iPhone previously changed the smartphone market.
The reception of the new device could be the first major test for Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, the former head of the hardware sector, who introduced the phone less than a week ago, after taking over the role in September.
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Market Impact
The success of the iPhone Duo could have a significant impact on the market niche where competitors like Samsung and Huawei have been selling premium devices for years. Within minutes of opening pre-orders last Friday, estimated delivery times for the Duo in the US were pushed back to late January, as demand exceeded supply.
Apple described the customer response as “nothing less than extraordinary.” In Sydney, where the phone went on sale today at the first Apple store, customers formed a line outside the building before it opened at 8 am local time.
The phone’s price is 3,899 Australian dollars, or $2,734, for the 512GB model. Early reviews have praised the device’s design and its sturdy, almost imperceptible hinge, which represents a significant advancement in foldable phones, whose screen crease has long been a drawback and deterred potential buyers.
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Reviewer Feedback
However, reviewers have noted that some compromises, such as the lack of a telephoto lens and unoptimized third-party apps, may disappoint some customers. They have also pointed out that the Duo, when folded and used in a smaller format, is less practical for many short daily tasks that users perform on standard iPhones.
Tech commentator Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, said in a review on YouTube that the phone is probably not a good choice for the average user who mostly sends messages, uses social media, and occasionally browses the internet. Brownlee noted that “if $2,000 is not a big expense for you and you like the idea, then this is a very fun phone, once you get used to it and get past the lack of face recognition”. Brownlee’s review provides a balanced view of the phone’s pros and cons.
Availability and Market Share
IDC expects Apple to account for 44% of the foldable phone market in 2026, measured by sales value, with a 31% share of total units sold. According to the firm’s forecast, Apple may become the leading manufacturer in this category in 2027, both in terms of sales value and units shipped.
