Counterpoint Forecasts iPhone Duo to Sell 6 Million Units This Year
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Apple's inaugural foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is poised to enter the market with pre-orders commencing on October 16 at 8pm, followed by official sales on October 23. The device carries a premium price tag of HK$17,499 for the 256GB variant and up to HK$27,999 for the 2TB version in Hong Kong . Market research firm Counterpoint Research has issued its inaugural sales forecast for Apple's foldable offering, projecting approximately 6 million units will be sold globally this year . The research firm noted that the 6 million figure aligns more closely with typical foldable smartphone market volumes rather than Apple's conventional smartphone sales scale . The ultimate sales performance will depend critically on Apple's ability to accelerate production capacity, according to Counterpoint Senior Analyst Ivan Lam .
Key Points
- iPhone Duo pre-orders begin October 16 at 8pm, with official retail launch on October 23; 256GB model priced at HK$17,499, 2TB version at HK$27,999
- Counterpoint Research forecasts iPhone Duo will sell approximately 6 million units in 2026, with final numbers dependent on Apple's production ramp-up
- IDC projects the global foldable smartphone market to grow 13% to 22.9 million units this year, warning the segment would decline without iPhone Duo
- iPhone 18 Pro series achieved 12% sales growth in China during its first week compared to iPhone 17 Pro, capturing 33% market share in that week
- Chinese smartphone market declined 17% year-over-year during summer months, with domestic brands hit hardest, while Apple's pricing held relative value
Why It Matters
Apple's entry into the foldable market represents a significant vote of confidence in a device category that has struggled to achieve mainstream adoption beyond niche consumers. The iPhone Duo's projected 6 million units would effectively validate the foldable segment and potentially catalyze renewed innovation across the industry. For Hong Kong consumers, the premium pricing strategy combined with the expected production constraints means securing a unit may require swift action during the pre-order window on October 16 .
Apple's entry into the foldable market represents a significant vote of confidence in a device category that has struggled to achieve mainstream adoption beyond niche consumers. The iPhone Duo's projected 6 million units would effectively validate the foldable segment and potentially catalyze renewed innovation across the industry. For Hong Kong consumers, the premium pricing strategy combined with the expected production constraints means securing a unit may require swift action during the pre-order window on October 16 .