2 hrs ago
Apple’s iPhone Duo Could Double India’s Foldable Market
Apple has made its first phone that can fold open into a larger screen.
The phone is called the iPhone Duo and will cost almost ₹3 lakh in India.
It has one smaller screen when folded and a larger screen when opened.
Analysts think Apple’s launch could make more people interested in foldable phones.
They estimate that India’s foldable-phone market could reach 1.2 million phones in 2027.
Some analysts believe the Duo could sell about 200,000 phones in its first full year.
However, the high price and possibly limited supply may discourage buyers.
Many Apple customers may wait to see how the first version works before buying it.
Apple introduced the iPhone Duo, its first folding smartphone, priced from ₹2.99 lakh in India.
The Duo will go on sale in India on 23 October with 5.4-inch and 7.6-inch displays.
Analysts estimate India’s foldable-phone shipments could reach 1.2 million units by 2027.
The iPhone Duo could sell about 200,000 units in its first full year, representing roughly 20% of the market.
Analysts identified the Duo’s high price, limited availability and first-generation design as potential barriers.
- Who
- Apple introduced the iPhone Duo, while analysts from IDC India and Counterpoint Research assessed its potential impact.
- What
- The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first folding smartphone and is expected to accelerate India’s foldable-phone market.
- Where
- The product will be sold in India, whose foldable-smartphone market is the focus of the estimates.
- When
- Apple announced it on Wednesday; sales in India begin on 23 October, with market projections extending through 2027.
- Why
- Apple’s entry and the phone’s novelty could attract buyers, although its high price, first-generation status and possible supply limits may constrain demand.
Market-growth case
Caution case
Effect on foldable-phone demand
Market-growth case
Apple’s brand, the Duo’s novelty and its loyal customer base could help double India’s foldable-phone market by 2027.
Caution case
The phone’s high price may restrict it to a smaller premium audience, limiting its effect on overall demand.
First-year sales
Market-growth case
Analysts estimate the Duo could sell about 200,000 units in its first full year and capture roughly 20% of the 2027 market.
Caution case
Many long-time Apple users may wait for a second-generation model before buying, while limited availability could further reduce sales.
Potential market size
Market-growth case
If the Duo exceeds expectations, India’s foldable shipments could reach as many as 1.5 million units, according to Counterpoint’s Tarun Pathak.
Caution case
The 1.5 million-unit outcome is an upper-end scenario, and analysts said pricing and supply remain important uncertainties.
Key facts
- Starting price in India
- ₹2.99 lakh
- India sales date
- 23 October
- Displays
- 5.4-inch outer display and 7.6-inch inner display
- Projected Indian foldable shipments in 2027
- 1.2 million units
- Estimated first-full-year Duo sales
- About 200,000 units
- Estimated Duo market share
- About 20% of India’s foldable market
- Estimated India foldables sales growth
- From $1.1 billion in 2025 to $2.2 billion in 2027
Quotes
Navkendar Singh
Associate vice-president at IDC India
“Once Apple’s foldable smartphone is in its second generation, it will likely be able to tap a larger segment of its loyal user base. Until then, in the first year, even long-time Apple users will likely want to wait and see how the iPhone Duo fares in the real world, before making the splurge.”
livemint.com
“At an absolute upper end, we’ll likely see up to 1.5 million units of foldable smartphone shipments if the iPhone Duo surpasses sales estimates. Supplies are also a key concern, given that the iPhone Duo is expected to have a limited release.”
livemint.com
Sources
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