Apple's $3,499 foldable iPhone Duo is worth the price

Apple has priced its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, at $3,499, making it the most expensive iPhone ever released, with a 2TB version costing $5,899. The device, announced Thursday and on sale in Australia from October 23, features a 7.6-inch screen that folds to passport size. The Duo lacks the iPhone Pro's superior camera and replaces Face ID with Touch ID, while competitors like the Motorola Razr Fold and Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 cost up to $1,200 and $800 less respectively. Apple's new CEO John Ternus, in his role for nine days, unveiled the device, which includes a hinge with over 100 components and a titanium plate under the display. Book-style foldables already account for 60-65% of Australian foldable sales, and Apple's entry is expected to mainstream the category, similar to its past success with iPods, iPhones, and iPads. The company raised other phone prices this year, with the iPhone 17 increasing from $1,399 to $1,549, and most foldables are sold through carrier financing plans.