Apple unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on September 9 (local time; September 10 in Korea). It is the first product to move away from the bar-shaped design Apple has maintained since the original iPhone in 2007.
The domestic retail price starts at 3.29 million won for the 256GB model. Preorders will begin on October 16, with sales starting October 23. South Korea is included among the first-wave launch markets.
The same-capacity Galaxy Z Fold8 costs 2.278 million won, making the iPhone Duo 1.011 million won more expensive. At 254 grams, it is also 53 grams heavier.
Face ID has been removed and replaced with Touch ID built into the side button. Users can also unlock the phone with an Apple Watch.
Industry observers expect limited competition among mobile carriers over subsidies. Unlike Samsung Electronics, Apple provides relatively small incentives to distributors.
Counterpoint forecasts that the iPhone Duo could capture as much as 25% of the global foldable-phone market by the end of the year.
Apple has released its first foldable smartphone. At a product-launch event held at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on September 9 (local time; September 10 in Korea), the company introduced the iPhone Duo. It is the first iPhone to depart from the bar-shaped design Apple has maintained since the first iPhone in 2007.
The event was hosted by CEO John Ternus. It was his first product-launch event since taking over from Tim Cook on September 1. Reuters described the iPhone Duo as Apple’s biggest design overhaul since the iPhone X in 2017.
When folded, it has a 5.4-inch display; when unfolded, it measures 7.6 inches.
The iPhone Duo opens horizontally like a book. When folded, it can be used like a conventional smartphone with a 5.4-inch display. When unfolded, its 7.6-inch screen can display two apps simultaneously. It has the largest display of any iPhone to date. When unfolded, the device is 5.2 millimeters thick.
It supports the Apple Pencil, which has primarily been used with iPads. The feature is intended to make the expanded display useful for work and content creation. The device runs iOS 27 and supports split-screen operation and app pairing. It can also function while partially folded or placed on a table.
The device uses the same A20 Pro application processor as the iPhone 18 Pro, along with Apple’s in-house C2 modem chip. It has an external dual-camera system with 48-megapixel sensors, while the internal camera is placed beneath the display. The external selfie camera has a resolution of 12 megapixels. Two batteries provide up to 31 hours of video playback.
The unlocking method has changed. Face ID, Apple’s facial-recognition system, has been removed and replaced with Touch ID built into the side button. Users wearing an Apple Watch can also unlock the phone with the watch. This marks a change in the authentication habits long familiar to iPhone users.
Titanium is used for the body and hinge. Weighing 254 grams, the device is the heaviest iPhone ever. The added weight reflects Apple’s decision to prioritize screen size, battery capacity and durability.
A 1.011 million-won difference
The domestic retail price starts at 3.29 million won for the 256GB model. The 512GB model costs 3.59 million won, the 1TB model costs 4.19 million won, and the 2TB model costs 5.09 million won. Apple’s Korean online store says preorders will open at 9 p.m. on October 16, with sales beginning October 23. South Korea is included among the first-wave launch markets.
The main comparison is Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Z Fold8, released in July. The 256GB model costs 2.278 million won, making the iPhone Duo 1.011 million won more expensive. The Galaxy Z Fold8 weighs 201 grams, 53 grams less than the iPhone Duo. Xiaomi’s 18 Fold is also lighter, weighing 219 grams.
Observers say consumers are unlikely to receive enough carrier support to offset the price gap. Unlike Samsung Electronics, Apple provides relatively small incentives to distributors. The three major mobile carriers will begin accepting preorders for the iPhone 18 Pro on September 12. An industry official said, “Companies generally try to keep marketing expenses at 20% to 25% of sales.” There is speculation that marketing may focus on retaining existing customers rather than triggering a subsidy competition.
There are several clear factors for prospective buyers to consider. The primary questions are whether the larger display and Apple ecosystem justify a price difference of more than 1 million won and whether users can tolerate the additional 53 grams. They will also need to adapt to authenticating without Face ID and instead using Touch ID and an Apple Watch. Screen creases and hinge durability, which have repeatedly been raised as concerns with foldable products, can only be evaluated after real-world use. The Galaxy Z Fold has reached its eighth generation, while the iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable device.
The launch timing also differs by three months. Samsung Electronics has been selling the Galaxy Z Fold8 since July, while the iPhone Duo will arrive in stores on October 23.
A potential catalyst for growth in the foldable market
Foldable phones still account for less than 2% of total smartphone shipments, according to market research firm Counterpoint. Samsung Electronics leads the global foldable-phone market with approximately 40%, followed by Huawei with about 30%. IDC forecasts that global foldable-phone shipments will increase by approximately 30% this year.
Counterpoint estimates that the iPhone Duo could account for up to 25% of the foldable-phone market by the end of the year. If Apple moves existing iPhone users to foldable devices, the market itself could expand. The market structure currently divided between Samsung Electronics and Huawei could also change.
Apple also unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max on the same day. The cameras have been enhanced with variable-aperture and shutter-speed controls, and the models start at 1.99 million won and 2.19 million won, respectively. The standard iPhone 18 was not introduced. Foreign media outlets interpreted the decision to stagger the release of the Pro and standard models as a strategy to ease supply pressure and spread revenue throughout the year.
Apple also revised its artificial-intelligence features. Siri can describe objects viewed through the camera and find necessary information in messages and emails. Apple said it processes AI operations on the device whenever possible to reduce the risk of personal-information leaks. The iPhone 18 Pro also includes a feature that determines whether an image was generated or edited using AI.
Apple also introduced the AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. The new Apple Watches feature enhanced health-management capabilities, including heart-rate monitoring and analysis of stress and recovery levels.
CEO Ternus described the iPhone Duo as “a product that demonstrates the creativity, originality and dedication of every team at Apple.” As the first foldable device unveiled under his leadership, its sales performance will serve as the first benchmark for evaluating the company’s new management regime.
