Apple just launched its first folding phone, the iPhone Duo. It costs a massive $1,999. But not everyone in the tech world is excited about it.
AT&T CEO John Stankey shared his honest thoughts right after the launch. He spoke during an interview at a major technology conference in San Francisco on September 9.
Apple officially revealed the new phone at this California event. New Apple CEO John Ternus led the presentation. He called the device the biggest change to the iPhone since the very first model was released years ago. However, Stankey said the expensive new phone is not a game-changer. He thinks only a small group of people will actually buy it.
“This Is Not New”
John Stankey did not hold back during his interview. He pointed out that folding phones have been around for a long time.
“The best characterization I can give is, looking at the foldable phones that have been out in the market, this is not new,” Stankey said.
Companies like Samsung and Google already sell Android folding phones. These phones have loyal fans and get good reviews. But they are still just a very small part of the total phone market.
Stankey doubts that adding Apple’s software will change things much. He expects the phone to stay in a specific niche for buyers with deep pockets who simply want a larger screen.
The Tablet Test
To prove his point, Stankey used his own daily routine as an example. He travels for work with both an iPhone and a larger iPad. He said he would only buy the $1,999 phone if it could completely replace his iPad.
“I’m going to have to see if it replaces something that I use,” Stankey explained. “If it becomes something where it says maybe I don’t need to carry the larger iPad around with me, I might be interested”.
For many people, spending $1,999 on a phone that acts as a third gadget is just too much money. People want it to replace other devices, not add to them.
Big Screens and Tough Design
Apple designed the iPhone Duo to open like a passport.
When it is closed, it has a 5.4-inch outer screen. When it is fully open, it reveals a large 7.6-inch inner screen. The device is incredibly thin. It is just 5.2 millimeters thick when opened, and it weighs 254 grams.
Apple worked hard to fix the screen crease problem found on older Android folding phones. They used a special finish to hide the fold line. They also built a very strong titanium hinge made of over 100 small parts.
The new phone is built to last. It is crafted from tough titanium with a shiny mirror polish. The outside screens are protected by Ceramic Shield 2, which resists scratches three times better than older models. The phone is also safe from water and dust.
Cameras and Smart Features
The iPhone Duo is not just about a big screen. It also has a brand-new camera system. It features a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera. This lets users take very clear photos without any delay when pressing the button.
Apple also added a new Camera Control button on the side. This button quickly opens the camera app. There is a new Siri Camera mode too. This feature allows the Siri voice assistant to see what the camera sees and answer questions about it. To keep the big inner screen looking perfect, Apple hid the video call camera underneath the glass.
Inside, the phone is powered by the new A20 Pro chip. This chip has a 7-core graphics processor that makes video games look incredibly realistic. It also features a 16-core brain designed specifically to run advanced artificial intelligence tasks smoothly.
Missing Hardware
Because the phone is very thin, Apple had to remove some common features. There is no Face ID on the iPhone Duo. Instead, users must use Touch ID on the side button to unlock their phone. The phone also does not use physical SIM cards. It only uses an eSIM to save space for the dual batteries inside.
The new iOS 27 operating system introduces a helpful feature called “iPhone Handoff.” This lets users easily switch back and forth between two different iPhone models using the exact same phone number.
Why Does It Cost $1,999?
The $1,999 starting price shocked many people. The top version with 2TB of storage costs an amazing $3,199. However, experts say this is not just Apple trying to make extra profit. The cost of computer parts has exploded.
The price of memory chips is nearly 400% higher than it was last year. Memory is now the most expensive part of building this phone.
This massive price jump happened because huge artificial intelligence data centers are buying up all the memory chips in the world. The manufacturing process itself is also causing delays and price hikes. The A20 Pro chip uses a special method called wafer-level packaging. This means the processor and the memory must be put together at the exact same time.
Right now, factories have plenty of processors, but they are waiting on memory chips. Finished processors are just piling up in the factory, creating a huge bottleneck.
Carrier Deals and Discounts
Phone carriers know that $2,000 is too much for most people to pay at once. Because of this, companies are offering big trade-in deals to lower the cost.
Customers can get up to $1,200 off the iPhone Duo at AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. To get this deal, you must trade in a good phone and sign up for an expensive monthly plan.
Some smaller companies have even bigger deals. Xfinity Mobile is offering a massive $1,300 off if you trade in a phone. Total Wireless is offering $600 off without needing any trade-in at all. Apple is also letting people lease the phone. You can pay $57.99 a month for two years instead of buying it outright.
For carriers like AT&T, these deals are great. Even if they do not sell millions of phones, they lock customers into long contracts on premium plans.
Will It Be a Success?
Financial experts do not agree on the phone’s future. Some analysts warn that the phone might struggle to sell. A financial expert named Edison Lee said the phone might be too big for people with small hands. He also said some buyers might wait for a cheaper version next year.
But a research group called IDC sees a bright future. They say Apple sets the rules for the industry. They believe Apple will sell about 10 million units in the first year and make $27 billion.
| Market Metric | 2025 | 2026 | 2030 |
| Global Unit Shipments | 20.3 million | 22.9 million | 35.8 million |
| Global Market Value | $26.7 billion | N/A | $68.2 billion |
| Foldable % of Total Smartphone Volume | N/A | 2.2% | 3.1% |
| Foldable % of Total Smartphone Revenue | N/A | 6.9% | 10.0% |
Data sourced from International Data Corporation (IDC) projections. Experts think the new phone will help Apple grow massively in China. They project Apple’s market share in China will rise to 40% by 2030. This would help Apple beat its biggest rival, Huawei.
What Do Regular Users Think?
Early consumer reactions are mixed. On internet forums like Reddit, many users complain about the high price and the lack of Face ID. However, many tech fans are very excited. They praise how smoothly the phone switches from the small screen to the big screen.
Many users also believe that because Apple is making a folding phone, app developers will finally make better apps for large folding screens. Pre-orders begin October 16, and the phones will arrive in stores on October 23. The device comes in two special colors: Star White and Night Sky.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the AT&T CEO say about the iPhone Duo?
AT&T CEO John Stankey said the iPhone Duo “is not new.” He noted that Android has had folding phones for years. He believes the Apple phone will only appeal to a small, niche market.
How much does the Apple iPhone Duo cost?
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for the base model. The most expensive version with 2TB of storage costs $3,199. Customers can also choose to lease the phone for $57.99 per month through Apple.
Why is the iPhone Duo so expensive?
The high price is mainly due to the soaring cost of memory chips, which have increased by nearly 400% over the last year because of artificial intelligence demands. The advanced A20 Pro chip and complex titanium hinge also add to the manufacturing costs.
What carrier deals are available for the iPhone Duo?
Major wireless carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are offering up to $1,200 off the new phone if you trade in an eligible device and sign up for a premium monthly plan. Xfinity Mobile is even offering up to $1,300 off with a trade-in.
Does the iPhone Duo have Face ID?
No, the iPhone Duo does not include Face ID. Apple removed it to keep the phone as thin as possible. Users will use Touch ID integrated into the side button instead.
