Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Apple’s Foldable Debut Leads Mint’s Week in Review
Apple showed a new phone called the iPhone Duo that folds open like a small tablet.
It will cost almost ₹3 lakh in India, making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone there.
Apple also introduced new Pro phones, watches, earbuds and improved Siri features.
John Ternus presented the event for the first time as Apple’s chief executive after Tim Cook left the role.
Experts think some Indians may buy the foldable phone, but others may wait to see whether it works well.
The newsletter also looked at why many people own HDFC Bank shares even though the stock has risen only modestly.
It reported questions about an internal Tata Sons investigation and the sudden departure of Coforge chairman O.P. Bhatt.
Other stories discussed Brics’ growing economic weight, doubts about India’s growth data, Honda’s comeback plans and pressure on the electricity system.
Investors were also putting more money into small- and mid-cap funds despite warnings that their valuations may be high.
Apple unveiled the foldable iPhone Duo at ₹2.99 lakh in India, with pre-orders beginning 16 October and sales on 23 October.
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup, Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 and AirPods 5 were also announced, alongside upgraded Siri AI features.
John Ternus made his first major keynote as Apple CEO after succeeding Tim Cook on 1 September.
Mint’s other coverage examined HDFC Bank’s growing retail shareholder base, a Tata Sons advisory case and Coforge’s chairman resignation.
The newsletter also covered Brics’ expanding but divided membership, India’s economic data, power shortages, corporate strategies and mutual-fund flows.
- Who
- Apple, led at the event by CEO John Ternus, along with companies, investors and policymakers covered in Mint’s weekly journalism.
- What
- Apple launched the foldable iPhone Duo and refreshed several products; the newsletter also reviewed major corporate, economic, energy and investment developments.
- When
- Apple’s event took place on 9 September; John Ternus became CEO on 1 September. The Brics summit was scheduled for 12-13 September.
- Where
- The product launch and pricing discussed include India and the United States, while the other stories focus mainly on India and its international relationships.
- Why
- Apple sought a major new product moment as it faces dependence on the iPhone and competition in artificial intelligence; the other reports examine business performance, governance, economic measurement and market trends.
Cautious and critical views
Optimistic and supportive views
iPhone Duo’s prospects
Cautious and critical views
The ₹2.99 lakh price may discourage even loyal Apple customers, and buyers may wait to see how the first-generation foldable performs.
Optimistic and supportive views
Analysts estimate the Duo could sell up to 200,000 units in its first year and capture roughly one-fifth of India’s projected foldable market.
Brics expansion
Cautious and critical views
Adding members has increased disagreements, with India-China rivalry and divisions among West Asian members making consensus harder.
Optimistic and supportive views
The larger bloc now represents 29.1% of global GDP, intra-bloc trade has tripled since 2009 and de-dollarization efforts are advancing.
Indian growth data
Cautious and critical views
Experts questioned the transparency of the new methodology, especially the rapid use of the Producer Price Index and the low 2.3% deflator despite higher inflation measures.
Optimistic and supportive views
The government highlighted 7.8% growth in the April-June quarter of fiscal year 2027, while the revised methodology was intended to address long-standing data-quality issues.
Small- and mid-cap funds
Cautious and critical views
Fund managers warned that investors may be chasing recent performance while valuations appear stretched.
Optimistic and supportive views
Small-cap funds attracted ₹7,973 crore and mid-cap funds ₹6,989 crore in August after both market segments substantially outperformed the Nifty 50 since April.
- iPhone Duo India price
- Starts at ₹2.99 lakh.
- Duo availability
- Pre-orders open 16 October; sales begin 23 October in India and the United States.
- Duo specifications
- A 7.6-inch unfolded display, 5.4-inch outer screen, titanium construction, A20 Pro chip and dual 48MP Fusion cameras.
- India foldable forecast
- Counterpoint Research and IDC estimate the market could reach 1.2 million units by 2027; the Duo could account for up to 200,000 first-year units.
- Apple Pro lineup
- The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max were listed at ₹1,64,900 and ₹1,79,900 in India, with availability from 18 September.
- Apple in India
- India produces roughly 55 million iPhones annually, about one-quarter of Apple’s global output, according to the newsletter.
- Brics economic share
- The expanded bloc accounts for 29.1% of global GDP, compared with 19.7% in 2009.
- Power demand
- India’s electricity demand exceeded 255GW in early September, while 58 thermal plants had critically low coal stocks.