iPhone Duo orders open in South Africa at R48k

The eagerly anticipated iPhone Duo has begun accepting orders in South Africa, arriving at a price just under the projected R50,000. The entry-level 256GB model is priced at R47,999, which, when considering US import duties and taxes, comes in at around R48,000. This final cost is roughly equivalent to $1,999 in the United States.

The local import costs account for about R15,216 of the total. Despite the affordability of the 256GB model, the higher-capacity options are significantly more expensive: the 512GB model costs R52,999, the 1TB version is R62,499, and the 2TB capacity reaches R76,999. These prices have been slightly below early industry projections that had anticipated the starting price to be R50,000.

The 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB models are available through the iStore, as well as through trade-in options and carrier contracts from Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, and Cell C. Sales through iStore will also feature trade-in options, and all major local networks will offer compatible contracts. Foldable smartphones remain a niche within the larger smartphone market, often limited by their high price points.

Competitors from Samsung's Fold lineup sit within a similarly premium price range, although devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 or Huawei Mate X7 may provide better overall value. Comparatively, the iPhone Duo's higher price tag is largely attributed to its novelty as Apple's entry into the foldable technology market. In contrast, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at R40,999 for the 256GB version, offering a more attractive entry point for those interested in foldable devices.

With Samsung having refined its flexible display technology since 2019, it presents a safer alternative to investing in Apple's inaugural foldable product. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo opened on Friday, with shipping expected to take between one and two weeks. These unique devices will soon be available in stores and online.