A price placard for the new iPhone Duo in an Apple retail store in India.
Apple has officially expanded its hardware portfolio with the launch of its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, unveiled at the company’s recent event in Cupertino. This strategic pivot marks Apple’s entry into a competitive high-end segment previously dominated by Samsung and Google, signaling a shift in the company’s product diversification strategy.
The iPhone Duo is positioned at the extreme premium end of the market, with Indian pricing starting at ₹3 Lakh for the 256 GB model and scaling up to ₹4.5 Lakh for the 2 TB configuration. The device features a 7.6-inch internal foldable display, a 5.4-inch external screen, and is powered by the proprietary A20 Pro chipset.
This launch coincides with a broader update to the company’s hardware ecosystem, including the iPhone 18 series and updated wearables. The event also marked a leadership transition, with John Ternus assuming the role of CEO. Analysts note that while Apple continues to face pricing pressure in emerging markets, it has simultaneously increased retail prices for several legacy models, including the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series.
The move comes as Apple solidifies its footprint in India, which serves as both a critical consumer market and a primary manufacturing hub. Recent data indicates that Apple’s exports from India surpassed the ₹2 Lakh Cr mark in FY26. With revenue growth in the region remaining strong, the introduction of high-margin foldable technology reflects Apple’s intent to capture greater value from its expanding Indian user base amid ongoing supply chain localization efforts.
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