Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, has been dogged by controversy since its launch. Users have reported bright lines and cracking near the hinge on the inner display. The China-market version lacks certain features due to regulatory restrictions. Most apps have yet to be fully optimized for the device. The body is rather heavy, some performance is limited, out-of-warranty repair costs run high, and channel prices have fallen rapidly. Analysts remain bullish on its shipment prospects, mainly because Apple commands a huge base of high-end users and strong appeal within the developer ecosystem, and is expected to break the deadlock in the foldable screen sector, where user scale and app adaptation have long constrained each other. Once the iPhone Duo enters the market, it will quickly rank among the top players in the global foldable screen market and erode the share of existing manufacturers. Samsung and Huawei will be relatively less affected, while second-tier Android manufacturers such as Motorola, Honor, and Xiaomi will face the greatest pressure. Resources in the already shrinking foldable screen market will further concentrate among the top players, and industry competition will extend from hardware specifications to dimensions such as ecosystem and after-sales service.
