iPhone Duo? New Name and Lower Price for Foldable iPhone
At 7:00 p.m. Dutch time tonight, Apple will announce its first foldable iPhone. The biggest surprise of the evening may be the phone's name. Previously, "iPhone Fold" and "iPhone Ultra" were rumored, but Mark Gurman is now suggesting a third option.
The iPhone Duo is what Mark Gurman of Bloomberg now believes. He also mentions a possible suggested retail price: $2,000. With that, Apple is opting for the lower end of earlier estimates, which reached up to $2,500. This is noteworthy, as memory prices are currently rising sharply; according to Gurman, Apple is absorbing some of those extra costs itself. Storage capacity goes up to 2 terabytes, though you will pay around $3,000 for that top-tier version.
Echo of the failed Surface Duo
The name iPhone Duo strongly reminds us of the Microsoft Surface Duo: an Android smartphone consisting of two screens connected by a hinge. So, no flexible, bendable screen. Although the iPhone does have one, the two devices look quite similar. When folded, it is the size of a passport; when unfolded, it is the size of a small tablet.
Apple Pencil after all?
Another interesting prediction from Gurman: Apple’s first foldable iPhone will support the Apple Pencil. This rumor had previously been debunked. Foldable screens are extremely susceptible to scratches; even a fingernail can cause damage. A pen tip would, of course, be asking for trouble. Still, Apple may have managed to come up with something that is soft enough yet still functional as a stylus.
We won’t have to wait long for clarity: Apple is announcing its foldable iPhone tonight. We are skeptical about Gurman’s predictions, though he does have a solid track record with Apple rumors. There are two reasons for our doubt. The name only surfaced on the day of the event, even though for months it seemed the choice was between “iPhone Fold” and “iPhone Ultra.” And the Apple Pencil support contradicts reports from last week, which stated that the pen would not work with the device. If Apple uses the name iPhone Duo, it would be a massive middle finger to Microsoft, which never managed to make the Surface Duo a success.
What will it cost in the Netherlands?
And if Apple adopts the price Gurman mentions, the Duo would suddenly be closer to competitors like Samsung than previously assumed. Although the question remains what you will pay for it in the Netherlands, as U.S. prices are always exclusive of tax. For the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple converted $1,199 to €1,479 here. Following that pattern, we estimate the Duo at around €2,400. That would make its starting price higher than the somewhat comparable Galaxy Z Fold 8, which launched at €2,099 and has since dropped dramatically to €1,488.95 (nearly 30%). We will see how it actually plays out tonight.
Source: Mark Gurman (X)
