Apple's Foldable iPhone Targets Stalled Premium Sales

Apple launched its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, priced at Rs 2,99,900, marking its biggest design change since the original iPhone, despite foldables holding just two percent of the global smartphone market. The move addresses a plateau in premium smartphone sales, where yearly hardware upgrades fail to justify rising prices. The novel design re-establishes exclusivity, with IDC's Nabila Popal comparing it to luxury handbags, while the 7.6-inch opened display can replace a tablet, offering a new reason to upgrade amid chip-shortage-driven price hikes. IDC projects the iPhone Duo could boost foldable sales by 12 percent to 22.9 million units. However, experts like Dan Frommer question its utility, noting users are accustomed to vertical content, though Apple's brand allure may still drive demand.