[Edaily Reporter Han Kwangbeom ] Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the unveiling of its first foldable smartphone, the “iPhone Duo.” While the device boasts a 7.6-inch large display, a custom-designed chip, and a vapor chamber, its price in South Korea ranges from 3.29 million won to 5.09 million won. This makes it more than 1 million won more expensive than Samsung Electronics’ latest foldable phone.
Apple CEO John Turners unveiled the iPhone Duo as the final item on the agenda during a new product launch event on the 10th (Korea time), following introductions of the iPhone 18 Pro series, AirPods, and new Apple Watch models. Observers note that Apple’s decision to reveal the new product with its signature “One More Thing” moment underscores the significance the company places on this device.
The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch screen that’s about the size of a passport when folded, and when unfolded, a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display appears. The unfolded screen is 50% wider than that of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Both screens have the same aspect ratio, ensuring that content flows seamlessly whether the device is folded or unfolded. The maximum brightness is 3,000 nits.
Vapor chamber manages heat… but the 254g weight is a burdenPerformance has also been elevated to the highest level among iPhones. It is equipped with the A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process, and Apple’s in-house designed C2 modem, and features a custom vapor chamber to address the chronic overheating issues common in foldable devices.
However, portability remains a weakness. The iPhone Duo weighs 254g, making it heavier than Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Z Fold 8 (201g) and Z Fold 8 Ultra (215g). It is also thicker, measuring 5.2mm when unfolded and 11.3mm when folded—thicker than Samsung’s latest foldable phones.
Apple, on the other hand, emphasized that it is the thinnest iPhone ever when unfolded and highlighted the multitasking experience on its large screen. The company explained that the vapor chamber enables effective thermal management, and the dual-battery system ensures sustained high performance.
Starting at 3.29 million won and going up to 5.09 million won… “Foldables Are Premium, Too”Price is the biggest barrier to entry.
The domestic manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the iPhone Duo are 3.29 million won for the 256GB model, 3.59 million won for the 512GB model, 4.19 million won for the 1TB model, and 5.09 million won for the 2TB model. In the U.S., prices start at $1,999 for the 256GB model.
Considering that the 256GB model of Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Z Fold 8 costs 2,278,100 won, the iPhone is more than 1.01 million won more expensive even at the base model. Even when compared to the Z Fold 8 Ultra, the iPhone is priced hundreds of thousands of won higher across all storage capacities.
In particular, the 2TB model has surpassed 5 million won in South Korea. It has reached a price point where it is competing not just with other foldable smartphones, but also with laptops and tablets.
Apple’s strategy is to rapidly expand its presence in the foldable market by leveraging the iPhone ecosystem and its loyal customer base, despite the high prices.
“Awkward SquareScreen”… Apple
TakesDirect
Aim at Samsung’s FoldablesApple directly targeted its competitor’s foldable phones that day.
CEO Turner criticized existing foldable phones as looking “as if two phones were awkwardly stuck together.” He argued that the nearly square screen creates unnecessary white space when scrolling through portrait-oriented content or watching movies.
In contrast, the iPhone Duo incorporates the large-screen user experience Apple has honed with the iPad into its foldable phone. It also supports multitasking, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously on the expansive screen when unfolded.
Since Apple entered the foldable market late, its strategy is to differentiate itself by leveraging its strength in designing hardware and software together.
Market outlook is also positive. Market research firms predict that Apple will rapidly expand its market share in the foldable sector, leveraging its strong brand and loyal customer base. In particular, some forecasts suggest that Apple’s market share in the foldable segment could rise to 40% by 2027.
Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo will begin on October 16 in major markets, including South Korea, with the official launch set for October 23.
With Apple’s entry, competition in the foldable smartphone market—long dominated by Samsung Electronics and Chinese manufacturers—is expected to intensify further. The key question is whether Apple’s brand and ecosystem will be enough to convince consumers to open their wallets, despite the high price tag.
