How Apple's foldable iPhone Duo fits in the market

Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo. The device aims to compete with existing foldables from Samsung and Google, though consumer interest in the category remains relatively low.
Why it matters
Apple's entry into the foldable market is a significant industry milestone that could validate the form factor for mainstream consumers despite current market skepticism.
Hear this story The foldable phone market just got a major new player.
Apple has unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo , joining a field that already includes devices from tech giants Samsung, Google and Motorola. Foldable phones offer a familiar smartphone experience when closed and open into larger displays designed for multitasking, streaming, gaming and other productivity tasks.
Despite years of development, foldables remain a relatively small segment of the smartphone industry. Foldable phones accounted for about 1.5% of the smartphone market in 2024 , according to TrendForce.
Consumer interest also remains mixed. According to a 2025 CNET survey , 64% of respondents said they weren't willing or interested in buying a foldable smartphone in the next year, while 13% said they were.
Apple's arrival could bring new attention to the category and introduce foldable technology to millions of iPhone users.
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