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Intensifying competition in the global foldable market

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2026-09-11 01:16 UTC → 2026-09-11 21:03 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The global smartphone market is witnessing a fierce competition for dominance in the foldable device segment as major manufacturers introduce high-end models to counter plateauing growth in traditional smartphones. Following the anticipated September 2026 launch window, Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, with prices starting at 15,999 yuan. The device features a 5.4-inch outer screen that expands to a 7.6-inch inner display. The launch event also marked a leadership transition, as John Ternus headlined the presentation following Tim Cook’s move from CEO to executive chairman of Apple’s board. The iPhone Duo has already triggered significant secondary market activity in China, where scalpers are reportedly offering pre-order services with markups reaching as high as 5,000 yuan. Samsung has responded to Apple’s entry via social media, mocking the design of the new iPhone and suggesting that the company is merely ~~following “established industry trends.”~~ “reheating” existing technology. Additionally, Samsung New Zealand released an advertisement featuring a man named Tim Cook from Palmerston North, who provides a review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 in a style mimicking Apple’s cinematic promotions. In China, Huawei and Xiaomi have also launched their premium foldable options, the Mate XT 2 and Xiaomi 18 Fold, respectively. These devices are designed to bridge the gap between smartphones and tablets, targeting high-end users through larger screens and AI integration. Parallel to the foldable trend, the broader consumer electronics market is experiencing price increases. Rising costs for memory and storage, driven by high demand for AI data centers, have led to price hikes for various smartphone and computer models from brands including OPPO, vivo, and Lenovo.

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