As South Africans prepare for the launch of the iPhone Duo on Friday, which is rumored to cost no less than 50,000 rand, the main problem for the tech giant is not just Apple, but foldable phones across the market: who is actually going to buy this device?
Foldable devices remain the least popular form factor in the market, and the primary reason for this is their prohibitively high prices. Competitors, such as Samsung's Fold series, are in a similar price range, yet buyers often get much more value for their money by choosing comparable devices, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 or Huawei Mate X7.
For instance, instead of spending that amount on the base model of the iPhone Duo with 256 GB, a user could much more easily purchase a top-tier iPhone 18 Pro Max with 1 TB for 45,699 rand.
The main reason for the high cost of the Duo is its novelty itself. It represents an entirely new form factor in the lineup and marks Apple's long-awaited debut in the foldable segment. Compared to it, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 starts from 40,999 rand for the 256 GB version, offering a more accessible entry point for the niche gadget. Considering that Samsung has been perfecting foldable hardware since 2019, this appears to be a significantly more reliable investment than purchasing a first-generation device like the Duo.
Similarly, the Huawei Mate X7 sells for 39,999 rand, and for this lower price, one can get twice the memory—512 GB. Although there are many alternatives in the foldable device market, most of which are significantly cheaper than the iPhone Duo, most consumers have better options at much lower prices. Whether it's traditional flagship monoliths like the iPhone 18 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, practical and high-value choices are available. Until prices drop, foldable devices will remain a small, isolated part of the market, although a significant price reduction still seems like the biggest fantasy.
Ultimately, who are these phones for? They are designed for buyers for whom money is not an issue—tech enthusiasts who are willing to spend on a foldable phone that might lag behind standard flagships in some technical aspects but undoubtedly wins on aesthetics. The foldable phone is instantly recognizable and visually interesting, whereas regular smartphones simply blend into the crowd.
Currently, the audience for this device remains small and narrow. If you ever see an iPhone Duo in real life in the coming weeks—in a local mall or restaurant—it will be a rare sight.