Apple launches $3,000 foldable iPhone Duo with scarce supply

Apple’s first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, launched globally Friday at about $3,000 with rationed supply, drawing strong demand but less fanfare than previous iPhone releases. The launch tests Apple’s ability to reinvent the foldable market under new CEO John Ternus. Pre-orders sold out within minutes, with delivery dates slipping to late January, and Apple capped purchases at two per customer. In Sydney, Shanghai, London, and San Francisco, queues formed but were smaller than past launches, with some buyers reselling for profit. Early reviews praised the Duo’s sturdy, barely visible hinge but criticized camera compromises, missing facial identification, and unfinished third-party apps. Market researcher IDC forecasts Apple will take 44 percent of foldable market value in 2026 and become the leader by 2027.