Apple's much-anticipated entry into the foldable smartphone market, the iPhone Duo, is set to launch on October 23, 2026. Despite a hefty price tag of Rs 3 lakh in India and $1,999 in the US, the device is projected to sell 6 million units during its initial sales period, according to a Counterpoint report cited by Bloomberg.
While this sales figure might seem modest compared to Apple's traditional iPhone volumes, it represents a significant achievement for a niche product in an emerging category. Counterpoint analyst Ivan Lam noted that the actual sales performance would largely depend on Apple's ability to rapidly scale up production for the new foldable.
Boosting the Foldable Market
Apple's foray into foldables is expected to have a profound impact on the entire segment. The iPhone Duo is anticipated to significantly increase consumer interest in foldable phones, potentially driving up overall sales across the industry. This effect was already observed when Apple first unveiled the Duo; Samsung reportedly saw a 10% jump in its Galaxy Z Fold 8 sales in South Korea immediately after the announcement, according to an ETNews report.
The increased competition and consumer awareness are also prompting other major brands to innovate. Xiaomi has already introduced similar-looking foldable devices, and Motorola is rumored to be developing a wide foldable phone akin to the Galaxy Fold 8 or iPhone Duo. This intensified rivalry is expected to further invigorate the foldable smartphone market.
Growth Projections and Pricing Dynamics
The iPhone Duo's launch in October 2026 is seen as a crucial factor in reviving global foldable phone sales. IDC forecasts a 13% growth in the global foldable market for 2026, reaching 22.9 million units shipped. The research group explicitly credits Apple's iPhone Duo as a primary driver for this projected growth, suggesting that without it, the overall foldable market might have experienced a decline.
Concurrently, rising component costs are pushing all manufacturers to increase their device prices. This trend could make Apple's premium pricing for the iPhone Duo more competitive within the broader smartphone landscape. Apple has also demonstrated strong performance in other premium segments, capturing 33% of China's smartphone market with its iPhone 18 Pro models, an unusually high share given intense competition from local brands like Huawei, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi.
Ultimately, the iPhone Duo's launch marks a pivotal moment for the smartphone industry, signaling a new era of innovation and competition in the foldable segment, even if its initial sales represent only a fraction of Apple's total iPhone volume.