Apple launched the foldable iPhone Duo at $1,999 in the United States and 15,999 yuan in China, entering a highly competitive market dominated by established Chinese brands including Huawei and Xiaomi. The top U.S. storage model costs $3,199. Apple presented the device as a platform for work, content creation, entertainment and personal AI use, but analysts said its intended buyer remained unclear. In China, the iPhone Duo is priced above Xiaomi’s new 18 Fold and below Huawei’s premium Mate XT2 trifold, while early WeChat reactions questioned whether the device justifies its cost. IDC expects foldables to represent less than 3% of the global smartphone market in 2026, with little change in 2027. Counterpoint estimates Apple could sell nearly 6 million units by year-end, while Omdia forecasts 22.3 million foldable-phone shipments in 2026.