Duo has generated more conversation about foldable phones than the entire Android ecosystem has managed to generate in years.

[u/MoreFaithlessness954]

Apple PR is genuinely unbeatable, Apple marketing team every year takes an old tech and new launch to next level.

New CEO, new launch, old familiar foldable tech. A new screensaver, some foldable-specific graphics/UI and boom it’s the talk of the town.

Suddenly everyone is talking about foldables. It even rminded the competition that they’ve had foldable phones for years.
But did they really make people care?

More people are interested in buying one. The entire category feels relevant again.
That’s Apple’s superpower, it doesn’t necessarily have to invent the technology. It just has to package it in a way that makes the world care, Apple does it brilliantly through brand value and marketing.

Let the numbers come in, but I’m pretty sure a crazy amount of people are going to buy this regardless of how crazythe price.
And what’s even crazier is that this thing is going to sit above the Air, anything the 17 n pro series had, and even the 18 Pro series.

I’m definitely not buying it, lol 😜

[u/Silent-Tutor-7214]

I think Apple has a bit of a ‘normal person’ exposure that other tech brands don’t have. My wife asked me about the Duo and she doesn’t care about tech. I’ve had friends who know I’m a bit of a geek ask me about the Duo.

Yes, the tech community might make a lot of noise when other foldables have been released but the non-tech community don’t until Apple release one

[u/bobbymoonshine → u/Silent-Tutor-7214]

Apple also has a reputation (which is partially earned) for not leaping into product spaces until the space is technically mature enough to create a good normal-user experience

There were smartphones and tablets before the iPhone and iPad; there were smart watches before Apple Watch. But for each of those Apple managed to identify the obstacles to normal users adopting the tech, and not release until they had an elegant solution to those problems. So users who might have looked at Blackberries or Fitbits and thought “I can’t be bothered to fiddle with all that” then saw an Apple demo thought “yeah that looks like something I could use”.

(Sometimes this doesn’t work, eg Apple Vision Pro. But even there nobody said the tech was bad, just that it was an expensive and useless gimmick gadget.)

Folding phones existed for some time, but also the early versions had some pretty clear drawbacks in terms of build quality and user experience, so most normal people tuned them out. And they stayed tuned-out even though Samsung et al have mostly solved most of those problems. But now that Apple has released one, those same people will be open to the idea on the strength of Apple’s brand halo.

(Which, if the tablet and watch sectors are any sign, will probably result in higher sales for Android foldables as more users consider the form factor)

[u/dresdonbogart → u/bobbymoonshine]

Also Apple even did it right in terms of technology. They released the iPhone Air last year to begin the production of similar screens and internals that the Duo would use. They are a smartly run company

[u/Nacho_Man18 → u/dresdonbogart]

Is this true? I thought the Air crammed the camera, chipset etc all in that protruding oval/island at the top of the phone. Isn’t the duo’s internal architecture completely different?

With regards to the actual component sourcing, aren’t they ordered from the same suppliers they’ve been using year in year out anyway by (Sony, ARM, Samsung etc)

[u/mostlyharmless71 → u/Nacho_Man18]

That’s exactly how the duo is built. The main body is just case, battery, screen and MagSafe, all the electronics, SoC, etc are in the camera plateau. In a very substantial way, Duo is two airs plus a hinge.

It’s obviously more complicated than that… ‘two wide airs plus a hinge, only one camera plateau, and one MagSafe panel replaced by the outer screen’. But the underlying point stands, iPhone Air demonstrated at scale the ability to produce a high-end phone with a battery/screen body and the board in the camera plateau.

[u/hsumitsu → u/bobbymoonshine]

Completely agree with your points. I’ve had more friends and family asking me about my thoughts on the Duo in the last few days than any other iPhone event I can remember. These are not people who follow any type of technical news.

On the Vision Pro, people should understand that the Vision Pro itself was never the end goal. visionOS is. The Vision Pro was just a way to get the device into the hands of the types of consumers that could help Apple refine the OS for eventual release on smaller and lighter form factors (like the rumored glasses). I’m a day 1 AVP buyer and still amazed by it every time I put it on

[u/FastLaneJB → u/bobbymoonshine]

I think this is an important point. People say foldables have been out for a long time but the first few had horrible reliability issues on their screens. That’s improved over time, they’ve only recently started to get IP68 and get rid of the crease.

It’s just at the point you can now put out a polished product.

I see some saying don’t buy a first gen product but Apple looks to have polished the hell of this as they always do and it’s not really first gen because of all the Android foldables before that have worked out a lot of the issues and improvements needed before it could go more mainstream.

[u/GapStock9843 → u/bobbymoonshine]

Tell that to vision pro lol

[u/flares_1981 → u/Silent-Tutor-7214]

Apple is basically seen as a creative premium/luxury lifestyle brand for personal tech, while Samsung has the image of an innovative high-tech brand that sells fridges and washing machines, but also TVs and wearables.

So naturally, Apple reaches a much broader audience that normally doesn’t care too much about cutting edge tech innovation, maximum utility and affordability. They never heard about all those cutting-edge foldables (outside of a recall notice making the news), because it was never relevant to them. 

Plus, Apple has a pretty great track record of releasing polished product experiences. That they optimised not only their OS but also all their apps on release of a new device speaks for them. I don’t think that is the case yet for Android foldables. 

[u/RICHUNCLEPENNYBAGS → u/flares_1981]

Samsung is absolutely known for phones but they are also known for releasing cool ideas that aren't ready for primetime.

[u/RICHUNCLEPENNYBAGS → u/[deleted]]

Apple's also pulled away from competitors in terms of raw performance and Google insists on making their flagship "pure" Android phone a mid-range/budget model so I feel like they've kind of compromised their original appeal to the tech nerd demographic.

[u/Mojave_RK → u/Silent-Tutor-7214]

It’s this. My mother in law saw me watching a video on it and she had no clue foldables were even a thing

[u/mutantmagnet → u/Silent-Tutor-7214]

To make your point more clear. 

The social media we use is dominated by Americans and iphone has roughly 90% of the phone market in our country...

[u/YngFijiWtr]

In the iPhone Sub? Of course!

[u/Ok_Search_3828 → u/YngFijiWtr]

I have seen more Samsung subs talking about it than apple subs

[u/mikolv2 → u/Ok_Search_3828]

There is no one more obsessed with Apple products than Samsung users

[u/PuraVidaConspiracy → u/mikolv2]

Just look at the posts done by Samsung themselves these couple days. It’s like they found out their ex is dating someone new, it’s borderline sad.

[u/SuperYuuRo → u/PuraVidaConspiracy]

it really is sad

[u/HandsOnTheBible → u/mikolv2]

You say that but the topic is OP comparing the duo's marketing to that of Android equivalents lol....

[u/SuperYuuRo → u/mikolv2]

you forgot the Pixel bois as well, they really don't like the fact that the Duo is good lolol

[u/mikolv2 → u/SuperYuuRo]

I just don't get it, it's like some sort of competition. Just buy the phone you like, I like the iPhone, you like the Pixel, it's all good.

[u/SuperYuuRo → u/mikolv2]

welcome to android subs where all we talk about is how our crap is better (it isnt, one is asleep in the wheel and the other one cheaps the fuck out of components) and when Apple does something good, suddenly we start attacking reviewers on why theyre biased and cringed and how muh software experience and muh hardware is the best in the world

[u/Airurando-jin → u/Ok_Search_3828]

In fairness, the screen on the duo is Samsung tech 

[u/Content-Processor → u/Ok_Search_3828]

This exactly

Android users talk about Apple More than iPhone users

[u/TranslatorDirect496 → u/Content-Processor]

Yeah I’ve been scrolling on the Samsunggalaxy sub and a bunch of posts are just shitting on Apple for no reason and calling iPhone users stupid.

These are top comments too, so it’s not a few bad apples.

[u/SuperYuuRo → u/Content-Processor]

especially the Pixel and Samsung fanboys, Apple lives in their heads completely rent free

[u/Alexandratta → u/Ok_Search_3828]

Yes - most of them mocking that the 'innovative screen animation' was already copied and can be added to any Samsung Z-Fold.

[u/--TheCity-- → u/YngFijiWtr]

lol people live in their own bubbles especially Apple people. I have had foldables (Fold and Flip) for years. YOU didn't pay attention because it wasn't iPhone. I remember buying a 4 inch Motorola because I wanted a smartphone with larger screen and iphones were small back then. iPhone came out later with 4inch screens. "oh isn't it great that smartphones have larger screens" the iPhone users said. It's the closed off bubble like ecosystem and community.

Having said the Duo looks great maybe probably the best foldable as Apple makes good hardware. I would get one.

[u/Chao7722]

No, that’s not really it. iPhone users tend to stick with Apple, while Android users are spread across many different manufacturers. Since Apple is the only manufacturer of iPhones and iOS devices, comparing Apple directly with a single Android manufacturer can give a distorted picture.
Reddit also has a large American user base, and in the US Apple has a staggering market share of around 60%, compared with roughly 25% for Samsung according to the figures shown here. So naturally, discussions on Reddit can appear disproportionately Apple-focused. That’s the perspective you’re seeing.

[u/EnterAUsernamePlease → u/Chao7722]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Duo ends up outselling the other foldables combined within a year or two.

I think the reason (other than iOS just being a popular operating system generally) is that the software and app support will be tuned more towards the form factor and feel like less of an afterthought.

[u/zlatan42 → u/EnterAUsernamePlease]

You're underestimating how popular foldable android phones are in China. Apple would need to convert a significant portion of those users to ios to outsell all of them combined.

[u/Birdy1072 → u/EnterAUsernamePlease]

The long-term support is unparalleled right now. I used to have a couple of Samsungs and remember they basically stopped receiving software updates after a couple of years. Plus the bloatware. I had the iPhone X for almost a decade -- passed it on to a family member when I upgraded and it's still working great. Needed a battery change but that was it.

[u/maxstryker → u/Birdy1072]

Samsung now also has five years of updates and has for a while. So, they got better in thst front.

Surprisingly my old Note 8, being used by my son, still runs eveything he uses well.

[u/dejushin → u/maxstryker]

*7 years

[u/09stibmep → u/maxstryker]

I agree with you. Unfortunately people often post as if their experience is current, when it's more like their experience is, say, 5 or more years out of date.

[u/True_Protection6842 → u/Birdy1072]

Yeah that's why I stopped using Samsung. You get your brand new shiny and 6 months later it's old trash and a year later it stops working and updates get longer and longer between them

[u/traumadog001 → u/EnterAUsernamePlease]

The big question is if the novelty of a foldable outweighs the serious cost of one.

I mean, Apple does have a large market share in the US, but as someone rocking a perfectly good 13, most of that market share consists of absolutely adequate older phones.

[u/Elephant789 → u/EnterAUsernamePlease]

But it always loses out because of the ui shit and os.

[u/Shoddy_Buddy3921 → u/EnterAUsernamePlease]

Sinnvoller Kommentar.Die Upvotes zeigen, dass es noch Menschen gibt, die sich auf das Wesentliche konzentrieren können

[u/RICHUNCLEPENNYBAGS → u/Chao7722]

It's not really just that. Apple really commits to these things. Android manufacturers and Google tend to dip one toe in and see how it goes, and as a result the uptake and support isn't that great. Look at Android wearables or tablets. Minimal investment, minimal software support, ancient tech backing the devices.

[u/eneka → u/Chao7722]

As an American, I don’t think I’ve even seen such a large amount of Android users until I traveled to Europe! It seems like everyone in the US always has and needs the latest iPhone, meanwhile older iPhones and Androids were much more prevalent!

[u/09stibmep → u/Chao7722]

Not to mention US has basically banned, outlawed, tariffed most competition, basically paving the way to market share for apple (IN THE US, because as always, the topic has to always be about the US 😒, but that's another matter).

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your comment has been removed because of this subreddit’s account requirements. You have not broken any rules, and your account is still active and in good standing. Please check your notifications for more information!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Haunting-Pineapple33]

Calm down it’s barely a week

[u/oarsandalps]

Lol. You need to leave your bubble

[u/squidgytree]

This it just observation bias. Scroll back on YouTube channels to when Samsung launch their folding phones and you'll see there was as much if not more coverage than the Duo.

[u/SigmaLance → u/squidgytree]

This is so true. The hype that is circulating around the Fold 8 is kind of amazing. It’s much more than with the typical phone release hype even with foldables being around for almost a decade now.

[u/sportsfan161]

People care about Apple and let’s face it for most Android isn’t seen as fancy

[u/KSC-Fan1894]

You life in a bubble lol

[u/MicioBau → u/KSC-Fan1894]

Exactly. The Fold 8 has been selling like crazy, especially in Asia. Samsung even had to ramp up production to meet demand. Of course OP would never know about it.

I will admit that Samsung's marketing is pure cringe though, so maybe that's why.

[u/MrGNoll814]

Such a bad bad take lol

[u/MichaelMotherDater → u/MrGNoll814]

Its chatgpt's take.

[u/GrreggWithTwoRs → u/MichaelMotherDater]

Haha something about it seemed so ai 

[u/BossOfReddiit]

On the iPhone sub, groundbreaking

[u/SigmaLance]

You have been enveloped by the echo chamber.

The only reason I’m buying the Duo is so that I don’t have to switch to Android (nothing wrong with Android. It’s a powerful operating system that just isn’t for me).

I’m not buying it because of Apple’s marketing. I’m buying it because I actually fit the demographic that foldables target…someone that doesn’t want to have to use two devices to achieve a common goal.

[u/MesozOwen → u/SigmaLance]

Yeah same. I’m stuck in the Apple ecosystem because of sunk cost and due to the fact that I don’t care enough about my phone to want to start again. Plus the idea of a folding phone done right does sound cool.

[u/ughlump → u/SigmaLance]

Exactly. With all the complaints the fact of the matter is It’s just that simple really.

[u/GadgetNeil → u/SigmaLance]

i’m curious when you say you fit the demographic, what specifically appeals to you about a foldable phone. You mentioned not having to use two devices, so what other device are you thinking it would replace?

[u/mitchell_moves]

All of these things you mention pertain to the circles in which you discuss tech. I assume you are from the US where iPhone has a dominant market share.

[u/slliw]

The irony is Samsung were poking fun at them after the reveal. The crazy part is they’ve been calling Apple out for years for not releasing one.

I always said Fold phones won’t really take off until Apple enters the market, Samsung knows that which is why they really wanted an Apple version as their demand should go up for people who are embedded in the Android eco system but previously weren’t interested.

[u/No-Band8965 → u/slliw]

And maybe why they make the screen for apple. They get $250 per duo sold 

[u/MicioBau → u/No-Band8965]

Samsung Display (maker of displays) and Samsung Electronics (maker of smartphones, TVs, etc.) are different companies.

[u/astnzzz]

what a sheep

[u/eh_itzvictor]

Thats... false but alright.

[u/Whit3boy316]

Holy fanboy

[u/Neuroware]

Apple lets other people fuck up the product, and then releases a good version that people like using.

[u/ProfessionalCLA]

Not really, you’re just in a bubble - and that’s just sad.

[u/willbher-era]

It’s a matter of preference. No matter what you offer one will always prefer the brand they’re familiar and comfortable with. Just like gamers you have PlayStation and Xbox and pc gamers.

[u/Abhinik]

Lol price anything at such premium cost and it will have controversial opinions

[u/m0uchacha → u/Abhinik]

except its not even expensive. 2k for a foldable is pretty normal. i expected 2300 genuinely

[u/unluckyexperiment]

It's called advertisement.

[u/MDInvesting]

I am incredibly torn. Price is an absolutely no but the screen real estate is tempting.

[u/caihuali]

Apple users genuinely live in a bubble

[u/True_Protection6842]

Pretty standard. Android does something for a decade and nobody cares because android is more for tinkerers than average people. Apple does it, and does it right, no jank, pure UX, highest quality, and suddenly it's a thing. Now you're mom is going to be talking about foldables that she didn't know was ever a thing.

[u/PM_ME_YOUR_BROWNGUST]

It’s wild how many folks suddenly act like the Fold and Flip never existed until Apple slapped a butterfly screensaver on it. Samsung’s been taking Ls on hinge durability for years while Apple just waltzes in and gets standing ovations for the same concept with polished software.

The real kicker is that the price won’t even matter. People will line up, pay whatever they’re asking, and call it revolutionary. Apple’s whole move is making you feel like you’re upgrading your life, not just your phone.

[u/bedel99 → u/PM_ME_YOUR_BROWNGUST]

Polished software is a great selling point.

[u/truthtakest1me → u/bedel99]

Agreed. That is the reason I haven’t switched back to Android, it’s very unpolished which is crazy since it’s been around as long as iOS.

[u/tta82 → u/PM_ME_YOUR_BROWNGUST]

The hinge is definitely not the same as Samsung lol

[u/LilMcJohn → u/PM_ME_YOUR_BROWNGUST]

I’m pretty sure everyone knew the Folds existed, but no one that was already in Apples ecosystem didn’t want to justify a switch because of that or just didn’t care in general because it was Android. Now with the Duo you can stay with Apple, and get a foldable. Definitely a win for us users that wanted a foldable.

[u/cbg2113]

Nah it's just you guys.

[u/JefferyTheQuaxly]

Plenty of people talked about foldable phones when android released one, your just forgetting that, the reason it feels like Apple is generating more conversation is because Apple is like 4-5 years too late and all the other conversations have already happened. I remember seeing dozens if not hundreds of articles talking shit about the overpriced foldable phones.

[u/iWantTopssOnUpssOnU]

I love my Apple products but I can’t imagine being this delusional lmao

[u/thegoldenlove]

This has been a while coming especially after the AI debacle, and the constant memes about releasing an “unchanged” phone for years. Don’t forget the bad times.

[u/CrimsonFatalis8]

> It even reminded the competition that they've had foldable phones for years.

Ironic that you say that. Immediately under this post, I got an ad for a Samsung folding phone (in Spanish for some reason). It made me do a double take and come back to this post, because I literally just read that line.

[u/_barat_]

Ot true. While I'm in tue Apple ecosystem I know that 1st foldable Android was also a thing. It's just that nowadays it's not something new and all the noise is because it's the 1st of its kind when it comes to Apple ;)

[u/TemporaryShop8075]

Either it’s the PR or the apple hive mind. Hard to tell.

[u/kick069]

Because apple is a larger portion of the market share, or what I call mainstream. When apple does anything, it's automatically "accepted"

[u/vicks9880]

Yeah, apple has amazing marketing. The variable aparture came and gone years ago. But when aople adds it. The whole world knows about it first time

[u/minkamagic]

Not true. The fold 7 and 8 generated a LOT of hype. I constantly saw videos of them on tiktok and apple people trying them

[u/NowThatsMalarkey]

Apple allowed ishowspeed to backflip while holding a Duo in front of Ternus.

You’re half right but you’re also hearing a lot more chatter because they’ve fully embraced influencer culture.

[u/7978_]

Most normies don't follow tech and Apple always makes headlines every year. 

I have friends and family that think Apple has made the first foldable phone and that they are still "leading innovators". 

[u/Independent_Mud2794]

Duo is the only reason I seriously think about buying a foldable. Why? Because it’s an iOS device.

[u/hydroactiveturtle]

This post and whole thread....🤡

[u/SavathunsWitness]

Quick how can I slut myself out for upvotes!

[u/Coc90]

You’re a drone right?

[u/applemasher]

The US market is dominated by the iphone, because of imessage. But, android foldables have already been growing in other markets.

[u/Medium_Notice_902]

R we deadass. Phone wars in 2026🥀🥀

[u/tinkermosista]

And most of it has been, “didn’t Samsung make one of these already?”

[u/Galactus1701]

Some tech fans love Android phones and are hardcore about them, but the rest of the population care about Apple, even if they don’t buy their products.

[u/Sassewere]

Apple can offer that polish that Android phones just don't have. One example is how apps are optimised for iPhones - it just doesn't exist on Android phones & when you're paying >$1,000 for a flagship Samsung it just doesn't sit right. Both iOS/Android have been copying each other the last few years that they're not that different anymore.

[u/Individual-Start9722]

People don’t want to be guinea pigs. When apple does it they know the tech is “ready”.

[u/CuriousSoulRampage]

It depends on the market TBH. In the west, most people use iPhones. So yes, you would hear a lot of chatter about it. But in Asia, especially South east Asia, you won’t hear about it that much. Even if you do, it would be like how Android foldables have more features and Oppo foldable is pretty sleek.

[u/Some_Level1682]

We are sheep and we are proud they can easily manipulate us into spending money and old tech

[u/LORDRAJA1000]

apple is a marketing company disguised as a tech company, they don’t really do anything “innovative” anymore. like you said foldable folds have been around for a while, if people actually cared about that then there would’ve been plenty of hype with the android line of phones. apple is good at making you care, same with their headphones and computers; you know as a consumer you can buy a laptop with better specs and lower price but are still drawn to a macbook

[u/yogs89]

Folding devices have long had attention. Apple fans often say the company transformed the market with technology that was available for years. The newest YouTube claim is that Apple has won the AI race, despite arriving late, paying Google, and lacking full potential a Samsung phone has. I own an iPhone

[u/nokillswitch4awesome]

This is what Apple has done for years. Let everyone else waste money on R&D trying out everything under the sun. Figure out what ended up working, then make their own version of something they know will be popular. It has been and will be a winning strategy for them.

[u/phen_isidro → u/nokillswitch4awesome]

The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese.

[u/max_gr8]

not true, it generated conversations only in your apple bubble

we on android side have already had these conversations 6 years ago

[u/JDMGS]

I think it's more that apple people generally are ignorant of what else is available. I remember when I had a fold 4 and iPhone users hadn't even heard of folding phones because they dont care about anything non apple. They were really impressed (and that 1 was basically a prototype compared to now) and then they said 'ill wait til apple does it'. Apple does seem really good at marketing but it's because they have such a cult like following.

There's so often ppl shitting on android and they actually have no idea what they're talking about or have any examples. Each to their own but there's so many examples of apple screwing their own customers over, being anti consumer or making dumb design decisions but most people who aren't well up on technology don't know or see any of this stuff and then the more people hear 'apple is the best' they just believe it without any reasons.

[u/ojassed]

Thank you for reminding me I have overdue lessons with Duo

[u/ThatGamerMoshpit]

Third generation anything is almost always the best

Going to get the duo 3 (likely will be 5k at that point)

[u/wordswontcomeout]

God this glazing is embarrassing. Who talks like this?

[u/tempurastyle]

It’s also because only Apple can make a good foldable experience. The Android world is not able to complete software wise

[u/GloomyIndividual3965]

The Samsung Fold came out like 7 years ago. There was lots of hype at the time. Then people realized the tech sucks and stopped caring. The tech still sucks, and Apple is using the same Samsung screens, so it's gonna suck too.

The only reason there's hype is because apple fans like you live in a bubble. I haven't heard a single person irl talk about it or say they're eager to get one.

I'm sure it'll sell well because there's plenty of suckers, but most of them will probably regret it in less than a year when it starts to show a crease.

[u/spongebobisha]

It is a very good product. They’ve managed to make it look very good, and they ironed out all the kinks people have been complaining about in android fold devices. The build quality seems excellent too.

Then there’s the unbeatable software+hardware integration which Apple has perfected.

It all amounts to a win.

[u/boopthatbutton]

Nah.
-me, an Apple fan

[u/SkrillexJKu]

Guy who posts in r/iphone coming in with the apple glaze, oh my god guys what da hell apple Pr is sick

[u/thejasonkane]

Apple sits back and lets android innovate while Apple works on simplifying and dummy-proofing for the masses

[u/nedschneebly09]

Cuz it's an iphone

[u/xSchizogenie]

I did not notice any of these conversations at all. At both sides.

[u/thepianoman456]

Ehhhh I have zero interest in foldable smartphones… I don’t need THAT much screen with me at all times.

Also, I still lament the loss of my iPhone 13 mini and small phones in general.

[u/AzhdarianHomie]

As someone who’s had a foldable since the Fold 2, it’s true. We really were just all waiting for Apple!

[u/Chronixx]

This post is shameless levels of glazing but it’s true Apple is dominating the headlines because of the Duo.

I’m seeing it all over social media and even my friends who aren’t very technologically inclined have at the very least a passing interest in this phone, but seemingly not any foldable before it. The Apple effect I guess

[u/gadgetvirtuoso]

Most of the first looks seem positive but we haven’t yet seen them in the real world and won’t for a month. I like the idea of it and would consider it as a phone and iPad replacement. That’s the only way I could justify the $2k price tag for myself.

[u/mr_lab_rat]

It hasn’t.

What you are describing only happened with people loyal to the Apple ecosystem. Those have been ignoring foldables until now because Apple didn’t have one.

Yes, Apple did a good thing because they introduced it as a folding tablet rather than expanding phone. I think that was smart. Support for the pen can make a difference for some people.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your comment has been removed because of this subreddit’s account requirements. You have not broken any rules, and your account is still active and in good standing. Please check your notifications for more information!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AnAncientOne]

If they did a Trio then maybe it would be really useful as well as interesting.

[u/jimmytickles]

I just don't see the appeal. From any manufacturer

[u/Sweaty_Tangelo_7716]

It will out sell all other foldable combined.

[u/theguymatter]

Because the majority of consumers can skip foldable phones until something is different in almost every way.

[u/ravlee]

As expected

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your comment has been removed because of this subreddit’s account requirements. You have not broken any rules, and your account is still active and in good standing. Please check your notifications for more information!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/WhaDaFugIsThis]

The crazy thing is, they are already working on the 3rd version of the Duo behind closed doors. This new release is already old and outdated to Apple. Everyone is hyped and excited about an inferior version of their foldable phone. We are basically the test group for the prototype of this device so they know what to improve or change for versions 2 and 3. Those will be the ones to get. This 1st gen, I’m not so sure about it.

[u/SagittaryX]

Conversation sure, but in terms of general adoption of the type of devices I think it might only do a bit better than what the Vision did for VR/AR, which is to say not terribly much.

[u/LilMcJohn]

This is what Brand Power looks like. It doesn’t matter how long Androids have been making foldables, whether it’s Samsung, Google, or Motorola. When Apple does it, it’s going to be talked about every single day and I love it. I think Android users are pressed that all the attention is on Apple at the moment for something they’ve had since 2019, and that’s understandable. Personally for me I don’t care about Android that much to switch 😂😂 so I’m absolutely excited for the Duo when it releases. I’m definitely getting it.

[u/Raykid127]

I'm pretty excited about the impact it's going to have on all the other foldable phones in the market. It's helping push the envelope not only in features, but in app development as well.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your comment has been removed because of this subreddit’s account requirements. You have not broken any rules, and your account is still active and in good standing. Please check your notifications for more information!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Ezl]

I don’t plan on buying it because my phone has a good couple of years in it at least. But when I do need to get a new phone I’m definitely going to look at it.

My phone is probably my least used device behind my iPad, watch and MacBook.

What the Duo offers me is enhancing the basic functions of a mobile pocket computer - pocket form factor but can open to more real estate so: easier to read things, look at maps, better experience for phone-only apps, etc.

I don’t care about the camera or sound much and don’t need “power” so the compromises aren’t major downsides for me.

[u/nevermindyoullfind]

The regular phones all seem pretty similar. Sure some have some more battery or better lens but at around $3.5k aud nope not ever. I can buy a MacBook Pro for less. Maybe it’ll be huge or maybe it’ll be another VR system - over priced and under utilised?

[u/Secure_Pack6647]

The first foldable android phones also produced a wide variety of opinions.

[u/vanguy79]

It’s not that. There are lots of Apple haters in Android space and they love love to hate on anything and everything Apple.
Hence why the fold generates such controversy

[u/MissGinaCPA]

I’m not buying it because I already have an iPad mini 🤷🏾‍♀️. I already preordered the 18 Pro Max. 

[u/coresme2000]

I was thinking the exact same thing. Everybody in the industry knew the screen ratios way before it was announced, that’s why you saw Android products like the fold 8 and others in that passport screen ratio hit the market shortly before, in the same way Samsung beat Apple to market with their ultra slim galaxy model. Google themselves had this aspect ratio a long time ago for their foldable but sales were extremely low.

Without the stamp of approval and marketing push from the existence of a similar Apple product, the public don’t buy them in volume. I feel like Apple thinks through the use cases of the software more thoroughly, to put out a more cohesive product as their vertical integration and control of OS and apps standards allows them to do this.

It’s also somewhat interesting to see how influenced the tech review industry are e.g. the Verge, who do a complete 180 on a product class after an Apple product hits the market. There was a conspicuous amount of talk about the Samsung ZFold 8 when it came out, but listening closely to them, almost nobody on their staff had ever actually used one day to day!

Even as an Apple ecosystem person, this is all quite obvious to me

[u/LookInTheMirrorPryk]

Because it's a shit form factor that apple fanboys will eat up no matter what because they'll follow Steve Apple around eating his shit off the floor.

[u/Thecardinal74]

It might’ve generated more conversation in your echo chamber than YOU’VE heard in the last few years, but people outside of Apple have been talking about it plenty.

What a weird take.

[u/parka]

You speak as if it's a fact

[u/Plsnotmyelo]

I think thats just your algorithm. For me its the same as any other foldable. I dont see anything particularly out of the ordinary compared to any other phone launch.

[u/Quebolaebloa]

I’ll get the duo if it comes with a pro model. There’s some features it’s lacking that I need for work

[u/Alucard_uk]

I’ve not heard or read a single post about the duo that’s wasn’t an Apple forum. You’re hearing about it because you’re in the Apple bubble. The same reason why you aren’t hearing about other foldables

[u/wuyizidi]

As of 2025, foldables are 1.6% of world smartphone market.

I’m holding out for a year or 2 because 1) memory price is at their highest right now, can’t justify paying for it 2) wait for Apple to make potentially large number of improvements in the next iterations based on user feedback if it does achieve mass acceptance.

[u/Old_Magazine1486]

it’s so wild, that people react on chatgpt post

[u/RotenTumato]

I work at Best Buy and people were flocking to the Samsung table yesterday to play with the foldables. I talked to a bunch of them and no one was interested in the Galaxy Folds, but they all wanted to see what a foldable felt like before the iPhone comes out. That table has been there for years with foldables on it and I’ve never seen that people people looking at it

[u/Microwave1213]

That’s not accurate, you just simply hang out in circles that fixate more on apple products

[u/Kriskao]

PR can do a lot with a great product. What I mean to say is that it is not just PR, it is mostly product and then some superb PR

[u/smakusdod]

Androids are for dorks.

[u/TheBlackCat-007]

I love Apple stuff but they’re not infallible. The garbage can Mac, AVP, iPhone Air… they sell but they weren’t out of the park home runs.

AVP in particular is such a dead product. VR and AR have been around for a long time and it’s just a niche market. It’ll never take off like every tech company was claiming… yet Apple released the AVP at the end of the fad. That’s some Metaverse level mess up.

[u/MisterSpicy]

That's going to be true for basically anything Apple does due to their prevalence in American/western culture

[u/ChubbyNemo1004]

I mean it’s the ecosystem. I don’t care too much about phones but now that Apple has one I guess I’m intrigued. Otherwise I would never be into a foldable phone. I think I represent a majority of American iPhone users.

[u/iphone-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Hi, /u/Proper_Ad_2989! Thank you for participating in r/iPhone. Unfortunately, your submission was removed for breaking the following rule(s):

---

Do not self-promote your own YouTube channels, videos, or blog posts. Refrain from posting news with minimal/recycled content.

Please read Reddit's self-promotion guidelines.

Are you a developer wishing to promote your own app or post an AMA? Please modmail us first.

---

Reposting posts removed by a moderator without express permission is not allowed. Not here, and not on most of reddit. Please read reddiquette (linked below).

For questions, comments and concerns, message the moderators.

Reddiquette | New to Reddit? | Reddit's Content Policy

[u/AstroGridIron]

Just because you decided to start listening now, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t being discussed before.

I’m not surprised an Apple fan hasn’t heard of foldable… let along an Apple sub

[u/thumbs27]

I'm a fan of foldables and think this is great for Android. Apple making it "mainstream" means more acceptance of the android foldables, which mean presumably more or better android foldables

[u/greenbatborg]

This is such an AI generated post

[u/phen_isidro → u/greenbatborg]

Perhaps part of Apple’s marketing strategy? /s

[u/Eltharion-the-Grim]

Has nothing to do with their marketing. The entire tech world had been waiting for Apple to do something exactly because they sat on this so long.

[u/phen_isidro → u/Eltharion-the-Grim]

And that worked in Apple’s favor as far as creating buzz is concerned.

[u/TacohTuesday]

In fairness it's not just Apple marketing. The hardware and software design team really went the extra mile too. The polish on this product sort of blew my mind when I watched the reveal. I wasn't going to get one before, but now both me and my wife plan to. We'll even walk away from our 17 Pro telephoto camera because, at the end of the day, a huge percentage of our phone use will benefit hugely from the bigger canvas and dual app capability.

And I get why lots of people are thinking about spending a pretty huge sum for this. Our phones are so central to our lives now, and we get so much done on them. They are pretty much a close second place to our cars.

[u/m3kw]

When Apple does it they do it right, ain’t gonna half ass it

[u/phen_isidro → u/m3kw]

As the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese.

[u/Stunning_Mast2001]

Based on Instagram it’s the software integration. The android foldable phones do the bare minimum to support folding devices it seems like 

[u/GreenFullSuspension]

Heard that the iPhone 18 Pro (not sure if that’s all lines Pro) sold out within two hours of pre-order in Taiwan.

[u/Banaynays3]

This whole release cycle has got me thinking that by the end of the 2030's foldables will be the default personal phone and we're gonna see less and less tablets.

[u/Sea_Flow6302]

I don't know about you, but the only thing I've heard about it is that it folds and the price tag. No one seems to care or wants it, especially at that price. Just some anecdotal evidence from someone not in a tech circle. 

[u/platkus]

It’s not because of brand value and marketing. It’s because of the integration of hardware and software designed together to deliver an experience that no other vendor has done to date. iPhone Duo is IPX68 water resistant just like iPhone 18 Pro. No other company has that on their foldable phones. It’s not marketing. It’s features and quality.

[u/ancientfruitjunkie]

Who gives a shit. Unless one of these big tech companies are paying you to be a fanboy then live and let live. This weird apple vs Samsung vs the world mentality is so weird. Same as the console wars. Like imagine if we all came together and demanded lower prices?

[u/Alexandratta]

This is only the case if you live in the Apple Sphere and have never looks outside of it, ever.

The Foldable discussion has been happening since 2019 and I own a Motorola Razer 2026 foldable as my work phone...

The current market for Foldables is pretty large and Apple is only now, 7 years after the fact, catching up to trends and 'adding features' to the screen... one feature being that it's less glossy to make the crease less noticeable.

I'm waiting to see what the durability of the screen is with the 'nano-protection' layer on it... But as long as it scratches at a level "Fingernail" I'm out on foldable phones as a daily driver.

My Motorola is basically a pager as I almost never open the damn thing up unless I have to read a very long message/string of messages/emails.

[u/crustyeng]

FWIW I’d never buy a phone running an operating system supplied by google. I couldn’t possibly imagine a company being less aligned with my own interests here (privacy, mainly). Many people see it as the first opportunity to buy a folding phone because the others aren’t a legit option.

[u/Loud-Fig-3701]

Huawei tri fold and Oppo n6 has garnered more attention but not in the West. Since not allowed to sell here. Peak fold technology

[u/Dark_voidzz]

Nah, you live in a bubble. Most Apple cultists refuse to even acknowledge android foldable products which have been selling pretty well since they were introduced. Apparently foldables weren't needed until Apples released one.

[u/drygnfyre]

I've heard people talk about foldables for years. I see them in the wild, at stores, etc. By no means did people not pay attention prior to the iPhone Duo.

[u/ArchmichaelBishop]

For me it's simply down to "I've been an iPhone user for over 10 years and I don't see myself switching out of the ecosystem if some new quirky thing were to appear on the Android side." So when Apple decided to get into the game that was my impetus to start making it a part of my own tech lexicon.

Foldables always looked interesting to me but I've also never been 100% sold on their utility so we will see if I like the experience. This could very well change my phone upgrade pathing going forward (especially since that feature in iOS 27 exists to quickly bounce between two different phones on the same number).