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Apple Enters Foldable Phone Market With iPhone Duo

The launch will test whether Apple’s software strengths can convert iPhone users to foldables and expand a small, high‑growth segment.

Overview

  • Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo as its first foldable and confirmed preorders will begin on October 16 with shipments planned for October 23.
  • Ookla Speedtest data shows Samsung controls roughly 76–77 percent of current foldable usage and that the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra lead in raw download and upload speeds.
  • Benchmarks and reviews report consistent tradeoffs for book‑style foldables: slightly worse signal quality and higher operating temperatures compared with flat flagship phones.
  • Device comparisons highlight concrete differences: the Galaxy Z Fold8 is lighter, thinner, often cheaper, and offers nano‑SIM plus eSIM in many markets while the iPhone Duo is heavier and uses eSIM‑only worldwide.
  • Apple will support stylus input via the USB‑C Apple Pencil after a delayed software update later in 2026 because a bespoke Duo Pencil was abandoned during development; analysts predict Apple could take about a quarter of the foldable market in year one and drive category growth.