Overview
- Apple publicly unveiled its first foldable iPhone, widely referred to as the iPhone Duo or iPhone Ultra, at its event on Wednesday, September 9.
- Early spec comparisons published after the launch show the iPhone Duo is notably heavier and carries a larger battery than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8, a trade-off Apple appears to have accepted for hinge and component choices.
- Samsung publicly welcomed Apple to the category while stressing device weight as the chief factor for user value and releasing a short “Welcome to Foldables” video that highlights the Fold8’s lighter passport-style design.
- Durability and repairability remain open questions for foldables, with iFixit teardowns and reports noting dust ingress risks, hinge vulnerability, and differing IP ratings such as the Fold8’s IP48 versus other models’ IP68.
- Research firms including IDC and Counterpoint now forecast double-digit shipment growth for foldables this year and expect Apple’s entry to shift market share at the premium end, a development that could push makers to prioritize either lighter builds or larger batteries and cameras depending on consumer demand.