UNDER PRESSURE:
Samsung taunted Apple with sarcastic posts on X during its launch, saying ‘reheating our leftovers,’ and ‘so far, so same’
Samsung Electronics Co launched a publicity campaign for its foldable phones, touting its hardware advantage and its early entry into the segment as it seeks to fend off a major challenge from Apple Inc.Apple on Wednesday unveiled the Duo, a folding US$1,999 iPhone aimed at shaking up a category long dominated by Samsung and Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies Co (華為), whose devices have struggled to move beyond a niche audience.Apple adopted the passport-shaped design that Samsung Electronics unveiled less than two months ago with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, priced at US$1,899 and powered by Alphabet Inc’s Gemini artificial intelligence (AI).
The new foldable iPhone Duo is on display during Apple’s event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, on Wednesday.
“Apple’s pricing was one of the most impressive parts. Keeping the iPhone Duo just under the US$2,000 mark, at US$1,999, and only about US$100 above the Galaxy Z Fold 8 looks like a pretty bold move by Apple,” Counterpoint Research associate director Liz Lee said.“We expect that Apple will really change the competitive landscape in foldables, and Samsung will see the most visible share pressure. But Samsung also has scale, years of experience and strong global distribution,” she said.
