Apple's foldable iPhone Duo enters a niche market led by Samsung and Google

Apple has unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, entering a market dominated by Samsung, Google, and Motorola, though foldables remain a niche segment at about 1.5% of the 2024 smartphone market. The iPhone Duo features a matte inner display with dual-layer ultra-thin glass and custom adhesives designed to minimize creasing, a common issue in foldables. Pre-orders begin Sept. 12, with availability starting Sept. 18, while consumer interest remains mixed per a 2025 CNET survey. Apple has not disclosed a fold durability rating, unlike Samsung's claimed 500,000 folds for the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Google's 200,000 for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Motorola does not publicly list a fold count.