Apple’s iPhone Duo faces price challenges in China’s foldable market

Apple’s debut of the iPhone Duo in China has drawn cautious interest from consumers, who prioritize cost over premium features in the foldable phone market. The device, priced at 15,999 yuan ($2,230), has faced skepticism from users who cite its high price relative to domestic rivals. One WeChat commenter, reflecting broader sentiment, noted that while U.S. consumers earn $3,000–$4,000 monthly and can afford the iPhone Duo for $1,999, Chinese buyers earning 3,000–4,000 yuan monthly would typically spend 10,000 yuan or more on a single device. This price sensitivity underscores a key challenge for Apple in its third-largest revenue market, which accounts for about 17% of its total annual sales. The market is highly competitive, with Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, Oppo and Vivo already offering a range of foldable designs, including book-style, flip and trifold models.