Apple unveils iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, with a steep price tag

Key facts

• Apple launched its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, on Wednesday.
• The iPhone Duo is priced at $1,999, making it the most expensive iPhone model.
• Apple CEO John Ternus unveiled the device at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California.
• Rivals like Samsung and Google have offered foldable smartphones for some time.
• Huawei recently showcased a tri-fold model.
• Apple's stringent quality standards may limit initial production volume.

Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of its first-ever foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, unveiled on Wednesday. The move comes 19 years after Apple revolutionized the smartphone industry with the original iPhone. While Apple has been a latecomer to the foldable segment, rivals such as Samsung with its Galaxy series and Google with its Pixel lineup have already established a presence in the market. Huawei also recently displayed a tri-fold device.

The iPhone Duo, presented by Apple CEO John Ternus at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, appears to offer few groundbreaking features compared to its competitors, according to initial observations. The device's high price point, starting at $1,999, positions it as the most expensive model in Apple's iPhone lineup. This steep cost, coupled with the current high value of the US dollar, is expected to make the iPhone Duo a difficult purchase for many consumers, particularly in Asian markets.

Nikkei Asia had previously reported that Apple was prioritizing premium models amidst rising memory prices and that the company's strict quality control measures might restrict the initial production volume of the iPhone Duo. The success of the foldable device may hinge on developers creating innovative applications that utilize its unique form factor, and on Apple's ability to overcome challenges related to its high price, limited production, and achieving significant market traction.