Chinese consumers are increasingly interested in Apple's iPhone Duo, coinciding with anticipated growth in global shipments of foldable smartphones this year. As of Thursday, the 256GB version of the iPhone Duo, priced at 15,999 yuan ($2,385), has garnered 1.29 million reservations through Apple's flagship store on JD.com.
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This demand has led to a lively resale market and "proxy booking" on platforms like Dewu App. There, seven pre-sale orders for the 256GB China-standard iPhone Duo have been completed, with the highest transaction price reaching 49,999 yuan and the lowest at 21,000 yuan. These figures indicate a premium of 5,001 to 34,000 yuan over Apple's official price.
Sources indicate that many Chinese app developers have traveled to Apple's US headquarters to learn how to adapt their apps for the iPhone Duo's foldable display. Adjustments for social networking apps typically take two to three weeks, while gaming apps may require three to four weeks.
The surge in reservations highlights the significance of the Chinese market for Apple and the rising appeal of foldable devices. According to Counterpoint Research, cumulative global shipments of foldable smartphones are expected to exceed 100 million units by the end of 2026, roughly eight years after the first commercial foldable device was launched in 2019. The firm projects a 37 percent year-on-year growth in the foldable market by 2027, largely driven by Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 series and Apple's entry into this segment.