Early reviews flag compromises in Apple’s $1,999 foldable iPhone Duo

Apple ↗ 6.16% unveiled the iPhone Duo on September 9 at its "Surprise and Shine" event in Cupertino, California, marking the company's long-awaited entry into the foldable smartphone market. Starting at $1,999 for the 256GB model, the device is the first major product launched under new CEO John Ternus and arrives years after rivals Samsung and Huawei established the foldable category.japantimes+2

The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch internal Super Retina XDR display, a 5.4-inch outer screen, and Apple's A20 Pro chip on a 2nm process. Preorders open October 16, with general availability on October 23 in more than 70 countries.apple+2

What Apple Built — and What It Left Out

The book-style device opens to offer a tablet-like experience, with iOS 27 enabling two apps to run side by side for the first time on an iPhone. Apple fitted the Duo with dual 48-megapixel cameras — a main and an ultra-wide — but opted against including a dedicated telephoto lens, relying instead on a 2x crop from the main sensor. The company also replaced Face ID with Touch ID built into the side button, a move Apple says suits the foldable form factor but one that reviewers have flagged as a notable omission for a device at this price.ukrmedia+3

At 254 grams and 11.3 millimeters thick when folded, the Duo is heavier than competing foldables from Samsung and Xiaomi. A display crease, while reduced through a nano-textured polymer layer, remains visible under certain lighting conditions, according to hands-on impressions from MacRumors and Tom's Guide. Storage options run up to 2TB, with the top configuration priced at $3,199.memeburn+2

Wall Street and Market Forecasts

Apple shares dipped 0.28% on the day of the event but climbed in subsequent trading sessions. Based on share price movements through Thursday, the company gained roughly $146 billion in market capitalization, though analysts note the increase reflects broader sentiment around the full iPhone 18 lineup as well.vietnamnet+1

Analytical firm TrendForce estimates Apple will ship around 5 million iPhone Duo units in 2026, capturing 24.8% of the global foldable smartphone market and placing the company second behind Samsung's projected 35.1% share. The overall foldable market is expected to reach 20.2 million units this year, with Android foldable shipments forecast to drop more than 20% excluding Apple's contribution.hi-tech+3

The $1,999 Question

Morgan Stanley ↗ 3.77% and Jefferies ↗ 5.07% have suggested that Apple priced the Duo below earlier expectations of $2,200 to $2,500, signaling a strategy focused on adoption over per-unit profit margins. The Japan Times reported that some observers at the launch event questioned the device's appeal beyond wealthy tech enthusiasts. In India, analysts cited by Mint estimate Apple could sell 150,000 to 200,000 Duo units in its first full year, targeting affluent iPhone users and early adopters.businesstoday+3