Apple’s Foldable iPhone Duo Launches at $2,000 with Limited Stock

Apple's display development leadership changes, with Victor Yin taking over from Wei Chen and John Zhong, who will advise. Other engineering leaders promoted. Johny Srouji's role expanded to chief hardware officer. Some hardware program managers laid off.

Apple launched its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, priced at around $2,000. Demand was strong, but sales were limited, with no long queues. Competitors like Samsung and Huawei have sold foldable phones for years. Apple's CEO John Ternus unveiled the phone. Early reviews praise the design but note camera compromises and app limitations. IDC forecasts Apple to capture 44% of the foldable market value by 2026.

Apple has asked suppliers to boost iPhone Duo production by 30% due to strong demand, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily. Initial shipments sold out quickly, with a second wave expected January 22. Estimates for 2024 shipments increased from 6M to 8M-10M units, with 33M units projected by 2027. The Duo, Apple's first foldable phone, is assembled by Foxconn and uses a TSMC processor.

Apple is expected to announce 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with touch-enabled OLED displays on October 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The new models will feature M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, weigh less, and have a Dynamic Island. Pricing is expected to be up to $500 higher than current models, which start at $2,499 and $2,999. The existing models will remain available but will eventually be discontinued.

Apple's iPhone Duo preorders sold out quickly, with resellers charging up to 4x the retail price. The delay is due to manufacturing issues, particularly with the hinge, which has a low yield rate. Apple's own website shows a shipping date of January 2027. Analysts project 6 million units sold globally in 2026, but production challenges may hinder meeting demand.

Apple launched its first folding iPhone, the $1,999 Duo, with deliveries starting January 25. The premium model, priced at $3,199, is expected to be the best-selling in the niche market. Apple enters the foldable phone sector, competing with Samsung and Chinese manufacturers.