Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, debuted globally on Friday with a starting price of about $2,000, drawing strong consumer demand despite a quieter launch-day atmosphere than previous generations.
Queues formed outside Apple retail locations in cities including Singapore, Shanghai, London, San Francisco, and Sydney as the passport-shaped device officially went on sale. However, with Apple capping pre-orders at two handsets per customer, limiting walk-in sales, and seeing delivery dates slip into January within minutes of pre-orders opening, the rollout featured fewer overnight camp-outs and round-the-block lines than historical iPhone releases.
The launch marks an early test for new Apple CEO John Ternus, who took charge in September, and pits Apple against established foldable competitors like Samsung Electronics and Huawei Technologies. Market analysts at IDC project that Apple could capture a significant share of the foldable market following the release.
While early reviews praised the Duo's design and sturdy hinge, some tech commentators noted limitations such as camera compromises and a lack of optimized third-party apps. Additionally, reports of display issues and cracking along the center crease have surfaced on social media platforms following the launch, prompting customer support replacements at Apple retail stores.
