Apple’s foldable iPhone draws strong demand

The iPhone Duo attracted strong interest even before it officially went on sale. When pre-orders opened the previous Friday, estimated delivery dates quickly moved to late January because demand exceeded the available supply.

Apple described the customer response as unusual showing that many buyers were interested in trying its first foldable smartphone.

According to Reuters, customers also gathered outside Apple’s first store in Sydney, Australia before sales began. Many arrived before the store opened at 8 a.m. local time.

One of the early buyers was 48 year old engineer Simon Krishnan, who purchased the 512GB version for 3,899 Australian dollars, or around $2,734. This is approximately Rs756,000 in Pakistani currency.

Krishnan said the phone was a luxury purchase because of its high price. However he explained that life is short and he wanted to enjoy the experience of owning it.

What makes the iPhone Duo stand out?

Early reviews have praised the phone’s design and its nearly invisible hinge. The hinge is the part that allows the device to open and close.

One of the biggest complaints about earlier foldable phones has been the visible crease in the middle of the screen. Apple’s design has received attention because it appears to reduce this problem.

The improved design could make the phone more attractive to people who have avoided foldable devices because of concerns about their screens. However the iPhone Duo has some limitations that potential buyers should consider.

Camera and App compatibility raise concerns

Reviewers have pointed out that the phone does not include a telephoto camera lens which can be useful for taking pictures of distant objects. This may disappoint users who expect advanced zoom features from a premium smartphone.

Some third party apps also need further updates to work properly with the phone’s new screen size.

Another concern is that certain everyday tasks may be less convenient when the phone is folded than when using a regular iPhone.

Because of these issues, some well known Apple commentators have advised customers to think carefully before buying the first generation device.

What do experts think about the iPhone Duo?

John Gruber, a longtime Apple commentator who writes the Daring Fireball blog described using the iPhone Duo for a week as an interesting experience.

However he felt the device was more like a carefully designed early model than a fully developed product he would want to carry every day.

Technology reviewer Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD shared similar concerns in his YouTube review.

He suggested that the iPhone Duo might not be the best choice for people who mainly use their phones for messaging, social media and browsing the internet.

However Brownlee noted that the device could offer an interesting experience for people who like foldable phones and can comfortably afford to spend around $2,000.

He also pointed out that users would need to adjust to some changes, including the absence of facial recognition for unlocking the phone.

Limited stock could make the Phone hard to find

Despite strong initial demand, limited supplies could make it difficult for some customers to purchase the iPhone Duo directly from stores.

Apple told Reuters that in store availability would vary by country. Initial supplies were limited in the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and much of Europe.

In China, France, Hong Kong, India and Japan, the phone was available only to customers who had ordered it online.

The situation was different in Macau where customers could purchase the device by visiting a store. Social media posts and media reports showed that some buyers had lined up several hours before stores opened.

Apple’s entry could expand the foldable Phone market

Although foldable smartphones have been available for years they still account for a relatively small share of the overall smartphone market.

Francisco Jeronimo, an IDC vice president, believes Apple’s entry could help introduce the technology to a much wider audience.

According to IDC’s forecasts, Apple could capture 44% of the total market value of foldable phones in 2026. The company could also account for 31% of all foldable devices sold that year.

IDC expects Apple to become the market leader by 2027 in both sales value and the number of devices shipped.

These forecasts suggest that Apple’s entry could have a major impact on the industry, although its actual performance will depend on customer demand and the availability of the device.

Is the iPhone Duo worth buying?

The success of Apple’s first foldable phone will depend on more than its design and strong initial demand.

Buyers will also consider its high price, camera limitations, app compatibility and everyday usability.

If Apple can address these concerns and make foldable phones more practical for ordinary users the iPhone Duo could help expand the market. However customers who prefer a familiar smartphone experience may want to compare its features and limitations with those of regular iPhones before making a purchase.