CNBC reported a tepid response to Apple's iPhone Duo in China at 15,999 yuan (about $2,230). Social media users said the price was a heavier burden relative to local incomes than the $1,999 U.S. price is for Americans; some said they would wait for a second-generation model.
The price sits between Xiaomi's 18 Fold (10,999 yuan) and Huawei's trifold Mate XT2 (19,999 yuan). The Duo is eSIM-only; mainland buyers must visit a China Mobile, China Telecom or China Unicom store for identity verification and activation, an extra step compared with physical-SIM phones.
Huawei accounted for 68% of China's foldable shipments in the second quarter, while Apple ranked second in the overall smartphone market with 18.1%, behind Huawei's 22.6%. Omdia expects global foldable shipments to reach 22.3 million in 2026 and says Apple's entry will bring the category's biggest year-on-year shipment increase since 2021. Counterpoint expects close to 6 million Duo sales by year-end, about one-quarter of the global foldable market.
