Apple launches $2,000 iPhone Duo amid strong demand and mixed reviews
Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, debuted worldwide with limited availability, prompting long queues and early mixed assessments of its design and functionality.
Apple introduced its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, in stores across major markets on Friday with a price of about US$2,000. Demand was high, but sales were rationed, resulting in shorter queues than seen at previous iPhone launches. The company capped pre-orders at two units per customer and limited walk-in sales, while online sales were restricted to certain regions.
CEO John Ternus, who assumed the role in September, greeted customers at an Austin store and high-fived shoppers, a scene shared on X by CBS Austin. Similar openings were reported at Apple locations in New York, London, Sydney and Shanghai, where customers lined up from early morning hours.
Early reviews praised the Duo's sleek design and a barely visible hinge, noting it as an improvement over earlier foldable devices. Critics highlighted drawbacks such as the absence of a telephoto lens, limited app optimization for the larger display, and reduced convenience for quick tasks. Commentator John Gruber described the experience as "an extraordinarily polished prototype, not a finished product," while tech reviewer Marques Brownlee suggested the phone may not suit average users but could appeal to those willing to pay the premium price.
Market analyst Francisco Jeronimo of IDC said Apple’s entry could broaden the foldable segment, projecting the company could capture 44% of foldable market value by 2026 and become the leader in both value and unit shipments by 2027.