Apple iPhone Duo Faces Supply Limits as Samsung Accelerates Trifold Response
Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, faces supply constraints with only 6 million units expected in 2026 due to hinge production delays. Starting at $1,999, it features an IP68 dust-resistance rating, prompting Samsung to accelerate its Galaxy Z Trifold 2.
Apple's highly anticipated first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is expected to launch with a severely limited supply. According to a report by 9to5Mac citing analyst Jeff Pu, Apple is projected to ship only 6 million units of the device in 2026, down from his previous forecast of 7 million. The report indicates that the constraint is not weak demand, but rather production delays stemming from manufacturing limitations associated with the hinge mechanism.
This detail is particularly significant as the iPhone Duo launches over a month after the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Pre-orders are set to open on Friday, October 16, with initial shipments slated to begin on October 23. By comparison, Pu estimates that Apple will ship 72 million units of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models by the end of the year roughly twelve times the projected volume for the iPhone Duo.
Pricing and Global Availability
In the United States, the iPhone Duo will start at $1,999, marking the highest starting price ever for an iPhone. For the first time, the device will arrive in Israel simultaneously with the global launch. Pelephone has become the first carrier in the country to publish local pricing: the 256GB base model will cost 8,199 shekels, the 512GB version will be priced at 8,799 shekels, the 1TB model will stand at 9,999 shekels, and the maximum 256GB variant will reach 12,199 shekels. Other Israeli cellular networks are expected to announce their pricing structures closer to the launch date.
Samsung's Competitive Response
Meanwhile, Samsung is reportedly concerned about the impact of the iPhone Duo on its own foldable device lineup. A blogger aggregating reports from Chinese social media networks notes that there are clear signs Samsung is accelerating the launch of the Galaxy Z Trifold 2, a dual-fold device that unfolds into three sections, as a direct response to Apple's entry into the foldable market. This move comes even though the original model struggled commercially; launched in the US in January at $2,900, its production was halted after just three months amid rumors it was sold at a loss, with the upcoming successor expected to retail at a similar price point.
"Before the iPhone Duo was even officially announced, Samsung criticized its reported weight, but upon its unveiling, it became clear that Apple successfully tackled one of the key vulnerabilities of Samsung's foldable devices: dust and debris resistance."
While Samsung's latest foldable model offers only an IP48 rating, leaving it vulnerable to fine particles like sand grains, the iPhone Duo boasts an IP68 rating, signifying complete dust tightness. Industry observers now note that Samsung is banking on a dual-fold mechanism and a tri-section display to counter Apple's growing competitive pressure.
