Apple unveils its first foldable, the iPhone Duo

Apple’s entry into the foldable phone market with the iPhone Duo, priced at $1,999, could significantly reshape the competitive landscape in Asia. While foldables currently represent less than 2% of global smartphone shipments, analytics firm Counterpoint forecasts the Duo could capture up to 25% of this market by year-end. This suggests a rapid shift in consumer adoption, particularly in Asian markets where Samsung and Xiaomi have already established a presence with their own wide foldable designs. The iPhone Duo’s design choices, such as the wider form factor for better video aspect ratios and the custom nanotexture finish to hide the crease, aim to address common user pain points. The device’s eSIM-only approach and the absence of Face ID, relying instead on Touch ID or Apple Watch unlock, present a notable departure from previous iPhone models. For Asian consumers, the success of these features will be critical in driving adoption against established local and regional competitors.