Apple may become the leading foldable phone seller soon after the iPhone Duo reaches customers, but Mark Gurman does not expect that lead to last forever. He believes the product’s larger impact will be pushing Android manufacturers to increase investment and adopt some of Apple’s design ideas.
That would resemble the original iPhone’s influence. Apple did not keep the entire smartphone market, but its approach helped redirect competitors toward touch screens, modern operating systems, and app-centered devices. Gurman sees the Duo creating similar pressure around foldable hardware and software. In that view, Apple’s influence could matter more than its eventual unit share.
Apple can shape the market without owning it
Gurman expects the Duo to turn foldables into a main form of mobile computing and drive greater industry investment.
Samsung and other Android brands already sell folding phones, so Apple is entering an established category. The difference is scale and attention. A successful iPhone foldable could encourage suppliers to expand production, developers to improve large-screen layouts, and rival phone makers to compete more aggressively on hinge durability, camera features, and software continuity.
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Apple’s official Duo announcement emphasizes the integration of its titanium hinge, two displays, cameras, and adaptive iOS 27 interface. Features such as saved app pairs, two Safari windows, and an outer camera preview give competitors a clear set of experiences to answer. Our Duo and Galaxy Z Fold8 comparison shows how closely buyers will examine the physical details.
Competition could also help solve the category’s largest obstacle. More volume and more suppliers may lower component costs over time, making folding phones available below today’s premium prices. That process will take years, which is why Gurman’s forecast for foldables to become the majority uses a decade-long horizon rather than a quick transition.
Apple does not have to remain the largest foldable vendor for the Duo to change the market. If rivals respond with better hardware, stronger apps, and lower prices, customers across both iOS and Android could benefit. Which Android phone maker do you think will respond most effectively to the iPhone Duo? Share your prediction in the comments.
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