Apple Expected to Sell 6 Million 'iPhone Duo' Devices in 2026

Counterpoint Research expects Apple to sell around 6 million units of its foldable “iPhone Duo” in 2024 at a price of $1,999, with its launch scheduled for October. The “iPhone 18 Pro” family also enjoyed a strong start in China, helping Apple capture 33% of the country’s smartphone market amid rising prices for Chinese phones. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple is projected to sell approximately 6 million units of the “iPhone Duo” this year, marking the first estimate of performance for the company’s first foldable device. Ivan Lam, a senior analyst at Counterpoint, noted that this figure is closer to typical sales levels in the foldable phone segment, which remains a niche market, than to Apple’s usual smartphone sales, and its realization depends on the company’s ability to ramp up production of the new device. Priced at $1,999, the “iPhone Duo” is set to launch in October, topping Apple’s lineup, with industry hopes that it will boost interest in and sales of foldable phones. Market research firm IDC estimates that foldable phone shipments will rise 13% to 22.9 million units this year, aided by Apple. It added that the segment would have seen a decline without the “iPhone Duo.” Counterpoint said the “iPhone 18 Pro” family from Apple, unveiled alongside the “Duo” this month, achieved a strong start in China. For the first time, the company launched its “Pro” phones without a corresponding upgrade to the base model, pushing consumers seeking upgrades toward higher-priced models and helping drive a 12% increase compared to initial sales of the “iPhone 17 Pro.” This performance defied a broad downward trend in the world’s largest smartphone market, as Chinese brands bore the brunt of a 17% year-on-year decline during the summer, according to researchers.