- On Wednesday, Apple introduced the foldable iPhone Duo at an event, entering China's competitive foldable market.
- Following the launch event, Apple shares climbed more than 3%.
- Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo are set to begin on October 16, with sales commencing on October 23.
- The iPhone Duo is priced at 15,999 yuan (approximately $2,230) in China, making it more expensive than Xiaomi's 18 Fold but cheaper than Huawei's Mate XT2.
- Social media reactions indicate that potential buyers are questioning whether the iPhone Duo is worth its high price.
- Ahead of Apple's event, Xiaomi and Huawei launched new flagship foldables, the Xiaomi 18 Fold and the Mate XT2, priced at 10,999 yuan and 19,999 yuan respectively.
- The iPhone Duo enters a market where Huawei, Honor, Oppo, and Vivo already sell various foldable designs, making it a more established category in China.
- Concerns have been raised about the iPhone Duo's lack of a physical SIM-card slot, which may complicate activation for users in mainland China.
Apple's iPhone Duo has officially entered the competitive foldable smartphone market in China, priced at 15,999 yuan ($2,230). This price point positions it above Xiaomi's 18 Fold but below Huawei's Mate XT2. The launch comes as established brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, Oppo, and Vivo already dominate the foldable segment, making Apple's entry particularly challenging.1345789
Early reactions on social media platforms like WeChat have raised questions about the iPhone Duo's value for money. One user stated, "I won't buy it this year. I'll buy the second-generation foldable next year," reflecting skepticism about the initial offering. Another commenter highlighted the disparity in income, noting, "U.S. consumers earn US$3,000 to US$4,000 a month and buy it for US$1,999. We earn 3,000 to 4,000 yuan and spend 10,000 yuan on it," emphasizing the price sensitivity of Chinese consumers.
Despite these concerns, analysts remain optimistic. Gene Munster, managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, remarked, "This is the first time in 10 years that Apple has come out with a product that people are excited about… Apple has got its device design mojo back and I think we're gonna see it in the numbers." Market research indicates that Apple could capture 25% of the foldable market by 2026, with projections increasing to 35-40% by 2027. The iPhone Duo, which features a foldable design and a battery life of up to 44 hours, will be available for preorder starting October 16 and officially launches on October 23.
However, the device's bulkiness and the absence of a physical SIM-card slot have raised additional concerns among potential buyers. Observers noted that the iPhone Duo is bulkier compared to its predecessors, which may affect its portability.
“Priced at 15,999 yuan ($2,230) in China, the Duo sits between Xiaomi's 18 Fold (10,999 yuan) and Huawei's Mate XT2 (19,999 yuan). Early WeChat reactions question the value, with one user saying, "I won't buy it this year. I'll buy the second-generation foldable next year."”
CNBC
Yahoo Finance
