Apple’s foldable iPhone hits stores with US$2,000 price tag and scarce supply
Demand was strong from Singapore and Shanghai to London and Berlin, but limited sales meant fewer long queues and overnight camp-outs that once marked iPhone launches.
Apple unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, on Friday in a global release. The device carries a price tag of approximately US$2,000, and while demand was strong, supply was limited, leading to fewer crowds compared to previous iPhone launches. The iPhone Duo joins a market dominated by competitors like Samsung Electronics and Huawei Technologies, which have been selling premium foldable phones for years.
The Duo's launch comes as a test for Apple's new CEO, John Ternus, just a week after he took charge in September. Pre-orders for the Duo were capped at two handsets per customer and were only available to walk-in shoppers, with sales rationed in various countries. The company expected delivery dates to slip to late January. Despite the scarcity, many were eager to get their hands on the new device.
Early reviews have praised the Duo's design and the sturdy, barely visible hinge, which could be a breakthrough for foldable phones that have long struggled with prominent screen creases. However, reviewers also noted that the camera compromises, including the absence of a telephoto lens, and the need for third-party apps to be reworked for the new display size could disappoint some buyers.
In addition, the folded Duo is less convenient for quick tasks that most users perform daily, leading some prominent reviewers to recommend it only for those who can overlook these drawbacks.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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