{
  "id": 6559028,
  "title": "Apple enters a crowded foldable smartphone market in China – can it beat Huawei?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/apple-enters-a-crowded-foldable-smartphone-market-in-china-can-it",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-10T07:13:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SCMP Tech",
    "slug": "scmp-tech",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3367021/apple-enters-crowded-foldable-smartphone-market-china-can-it-beat-huawei"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple has entered the competitive foldable smartphone market in China with its highly anticipated iPhone Duo, drawing attention amidst established local rivals such as Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi. The iPhone Duo, Apple's thinnest and most expensive flagship model, has captured consumer interest with its seamless transition between inner and outer displays. A microblogging platform hashtag surged to second place on Weibo following the device's unveiling on Wednesday, indicating strong initial reception. However, some tech experts argue that adoption in China could be hindered by connectivity issues due to the lack of a physical SIM tray and the necessity of completing time-consuming in-person identity checks to activate or migrate eSIM profiles. Despite these hurdles, financial markets welcomed the announcement, with shares of component maker Lingyi iTech leaping over 5 per cent in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The iPhone Duo's 256GB base model starts at a steep 15,999 yuan (US$2,384), surpassing the prices of domestic competitors such as Huawei’s Pura X Max and Xiaomi’s 18 Fold, and Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8. Nevertheless, Apple's absence of a physical SIM tray and higher price point are seen as bold moves in the increasingly expensive memory market. Tech influencer Technology Xiaonai suggested that the device could generate excitement among consumers if supply remains tight. Apple's foldable smartphone was unveiled amidst a week of numerous new device launches in China, where Huawei and Xiaomi have also introduced new foldable models. The US company could potentially lead the foldable market by value, given the device's design, durability, and software utility, according to Apple analyst Liz Lee.",
  "summary": "Apple’s long-awaited entry into the foldable smartphone market, the iPhone Duo, has drawn immediate attention in China over its eye-watering price tag and exclusive dual-eSIM design, as the American tech giant targets entrenched domestic rivals Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi. Unveiled on Wednesday, the iPhone Duo – Apple’s thinnest and most expensive flagship model yet – captured the attention of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Apple enters a crowded foldable smartphone market in China – can it beat Huawei?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/apple-enters-a-crowded-foldable-smartphone-market-in-china-can-it-6559695",
        "published": "2026-09-10T07:13:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MIT Technology Review",
        "title": "Can the US battery market untangle from China?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/can-the-us-battery-market-untangle-from-china",
        "published": "2026-09-10T10:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}