Apple enters the foldable smartphone race with the iPhone Duo

13:33

By: Azzat Manal

Apple enters the foldable smartphone race with the iPhone Duo

Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the introduction of the iPhone Duo, marking a major expansion of its premium smartphone strategy and bringing the company into direct competition with manufacturers that have been developing foldable devices for years.

Presented in Cupertino by Apple’s new chief executive, John Ternus, the device features a compact design inspired by the proportions of a passport before unfolding into a larger display. The concept is intended to combine the portability of a conventional smartphone with an experience closer to that of a small tablet.

The iPhone Duo represents Apple's response to a market that has gradually expanded since foldable smartphones first appeared. Manufacturers such as Samsung were among the early major players in the category, using flexible displays and new form factors to offer consumers larger screens without requiring a traditional tablet-sized device.

Apple is seeking to differentiate its entry through industrial design, software integration and user experience. The company has emphasized its efforts to address some of the limitations associated with early foldable phones, including their thickness, durability and the visual transition between the folded and unfolded formats.

The device features a 5.4-inch external display and is powered by Apple's A20 Pro chip. It also incorporates a dual-battery system designed to provide sufficient power for a smartphone with multiple display configurations and potentially higher energy demands.

The iPhone Duo is expected to go on sale on October 23 at a price of around $2,000, placing it firmly in the luxury segment of the smartphone market. Its high price could become one of the main challenges for Apple as it attempts to persuade consumers to adopt a new form factor.

Apple's arrival also comes at a time when competition in the foldable sector is intensifying. Asian manufacturers have already introduced several generations of foldable smartphones, giving them experience in flexible-display technology, hinge mechanisms and software designed for multitasking on larger screens.

For Apple, however, entering the category could have a broader impact on the market. The company's reputation for turning emerging technologies into mainstream consumer products means that its participation could encourage more customers to consider foldable devices, potentially accelerating adoption worldwide.

Artificial intelligence is another important element of Apple's broader product strategy. The company has continued developing its AI capabilities and has announced plans for an updated version of Siri, including support for French beginning in October. The move comes as competitors increasingly integrate generative AI tools, advanced assistants and automated features into their smartphones.

Apple also used the product presentation to introduce new generations of other devices, including the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5, reinforcing its strategy of connecting smartphones with a broader ecosystem of hardware and software.

At the same time, the company has adjusted the pricing of some of its high-end smartphones. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to start at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max will reportedly begin at $1,299. Both prices represent an increase of $100 compared with the launch prices of the previous generation.

The higher prices come as technology manufacturers continue to face pressure from rising component costs and supply-chain challenges. Memory chips in particular have become more expensive as demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure and other technology sectors continues to grow.

Apple has already raised prices on selected Mac and iPad models, citing higher component costs. Similar pressures could affect the company's smartphone business as it invests heavily in increasingly sophisticated hardware and AI-related capabilities.

Another notable aspect of the latest strategy is the absence of a standard iPhone 18 model from the presentation described in the source material. Instead, Apple is placing greater emphasis on premium devices and its new foldable offering.

The iPhone Duo therefore represents more than the addition of another model to Apple's lineup. It signals the company's willingness to compete in a segment it previously left largely to rivals. Whether the device can justify its premium price will depend on its design, durability, battery life, software experience and the practical benefits offered by its foldable format.

Apple's entry could ultimately reshape competition in the sector, particularly if the company succeeds in convincing a wider audience that foldable smartphones offer meaningful advantages over conventional devices.