iPhone 18 launch upstaged by rival trolling from Samsung and Duolingo

Apple's iPhone 18 launch was overshadowed within minutes by viral online mockery from rivals, including Samsung and Duolingo, which drew more engagement than Apple's own event coverage. Samsung mocked Apple's first foldable as old news, citing its own Fold lineage, while users ridiculed the new color palette as a sticker-like change. Analysts noted Apple unusually avoided defining a target audience for the new iPhone Duo. The trolling, which some suspected was coordinated, highlighted a broader shift: the launch meant to mark a new CEO's era was upstaged by competitors' social media jabs, though analysts expect strong initial sales driven by brand positioning.