Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, aiming to redefine the foldable category with a unique design and software experience, but it faces stiff competition from established Chinese manufacturers.
- Apple's iPhone Duo weighs more and is thicker than leading Chinese foldables.
- Supports split-screen multitasking and Apple Pencil on a large inner screen.
- Chinese brands have years of foldable innovation, pushing thinner, lighter designs.
What happened
Apple introduced the iPhone Duo this week, marking its entry into the foldable smartphone market with a $1,999 starting price. The device features a 7.6-inch inner display for unfolded use and a 5.4-inch outer display for everyday tasks, supported by the A20 Pro chip. Apple has incorporated a newly developed precision hinge to reduce crease visibility and created an iOS experience tailored specifically for foldable functionality, including split-screen multitasking and Apple Pencil support.
The launch represents a significant shift in the iPhone’s design after more than a decade of conventional form factors. Apple’s promotional materials emphasize how the phone transitions smoothly between folded and unfolded states, not just mechanically but in how users interact with it across different scenarios. This positions the iPhone Duo as an adaptive device rather than merely a foldable phone.
Why it matters
Apple is entering a mature and competitive foldable phone market in China, where brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo have years of experience developing multiple foldable phone generations. These companies have continuously focused on reducing phone weight and thickness, improving hinge technology, and enhancing software to maximize the utility of larger foldable displays. By comparison, the iPhone Duo’s folded thickness of 11.3mm and weight of 254 grams make it heavier and bulkier than rival models from these manufacturers, which already offer thinner and lighter options.
However, Apple's emphasis on user experience with software optimization and integration, such as split-screen multitasking and Apple Pencil compatibility, addresses one of the biggest challenges for foldables: making the larger unfolded screen genuinely useful. This approach could differentiate Apple’s offering beyond hardware specifications alone and influence the trajectory of foldable phone design and usage.
What to watch next
The market will be keenly observing how consumers respond to the iPhone Duo’s blend of premium build, unique software features, and its relatively bulkier form factor compared to Chinese competitors. Apple’s ability to drive user adoption could hinge on how well its ecosystem supports foldable multitasking and productivity compared to the more hardware-centric advances of Chinese brands.
In parallel, Chinese manufacturers are likely to respond with new foldable innovations, pushing for even lighter, thinner designs and enhanced user experiences. Industry watchers should track how quickly Apple iterates on foldable hardware and software as it competes with brands that currently lead the foldable evolution in terms of device form and refinement.