[Edaily Reporter KIM JUNG YOU ] As Apple has set the starting price of its first foldable smartphone, the “iPhone Duo,” at $1,999 (approximately 2.68 million won) in the U.S. market, the price gap with Samsung’s “ SamsungElectronics(005930) ” “Galaxy Z Fold” series is gradually widening in overseas markets. In particular, while the price difference between the two companies’ products was only 5% in the U.S., it has been found that the iPhone Duo is priced a whopping 67% higher in India. Analysts predict that the Galaxy’s competitiveness will increase further.

According to the mobile industry publication SamMobile on the 10th, the iPhone Duo announced by Apple that day is $100 (approximately 134,100 won) more expensive than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which starts at $1,899 (approximately 2.54 million won) in the U.S. market. The iPhone Duo, which has garnered attention as Apple’s first foldable phone, supports IP68-rated water and dust resistance and will allow the “Apple Pencil” to be used on both screens by the end of this year. It also features a “Flex Mode”-like function that lets users prop it up halfway like a laptop or use it in tent mode, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 8 only supports tent mode.

Based on the official video playback times announced by both companies, the iPhone Duo also has the edge in battery life. Apple stated that it provides up to 31 hours of playback time when using the foldable display, which exceeds the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s maximum of 26 hours. Additionally, Apple has applied a nano-texture finish to the foldable display to replicate the feel of paper and significantly reduce glare. This provides superior glare reduction compared to the anti-glare coating on the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

While the price difference between the two companies’ latest foldable phones in the U.S. is $100, the story changes outside the U.S. The price gap between the two models is widening even further depending on the country. According to a report by SamMobile, the iPhone duo’s starting price in the UK is 1,999 pounds (approximately 3.63 million won), while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at 1,699 pounds (approximately 3.08 million won), resulting in a price difference of 300 pounds (approximately 540,000 won).

Furthermore, in France and the Netherlands, the iPhone duo is priced at 2,339 euros (approximately 3.65 million won), while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is priced at 1,999 euros (approximately 3.12 million won), making the Samsung device 340 euros (approximately 530,000 won) cheaper. In Canada, the price gap widened to 600 Canadian dollars (approximately 580,000 won), while in Australia, it stands at around 800 Australian dollars (approximately 770,000 won).

The most extreme case is India. The iPhone duo starts at 299,900 rupees (approximately 4.22 million won) in the Indian market, making it a whopping 120,000 rupees (approximately 1.69 million won) more expensive than Samsung’s foldable phone, which costs 179,999 rupees (approximately 2.53 million won). All these comparisons were based on the base models with 256GB of storage.

In summary, while the price difference between the iPhone Duo and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 was just over 5% in the U.S., the gap widened to △18% in the U.K., △17% in France and the Netherlands, △25% in Canada, △30% in Australia, and △67% in India. In the smartphone industry, while the reception of the iPhone Duo’s new features has been positive, the general consensus is that it will be difficult to dominate the market if the price gap with the Galaxy Z series widens to over $100.

SamMobile also pointed out, “Consumers in major countries must pay a much higher price to enjoy the functional advantages Apple offers,” adding, “With a price gap of this magnitude, it’s hard to view the iPhone Duo and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 as being in the same price bracket.” It further added, “Apple’s new models failed to deliver more features in this price range than expected,” and noted, “Since the structure requires consumers to pay a significant premium depending on their region, this paradoxically highlights the price competitiveness of the Galaxy Z Fold 8.”