Apple unveiled its first foldable phone, the 'iPhone Duo,' on September 9, aiming to penetrate the Chinese market, the world's largest for foldable devices. China is among the initial launch countries for the iPhone Duo, with pre-orders starting on October 16 and an official release set for October 23.
While the inability of Chinese consumers to access key artificial intelligence (AI) features poses a challenge, the previously concerning eSIM issue has been resolved, allowing Apple to actively target the Chinese foldable phone market.
Initially, there were concerns that the iPhone Duo, which is eSIM-only, might face delays in its local launch due to China's strict real-name registration and anti-fraud regulations. However, on the day of the iPhone Duo's announcement, China's three major telecom operators—China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom—officially confirmed eSIM support, alleviating this uncertainty.
Another hurdle remains: Chinese consumers will not have access to Apple's core AI features. In mainland China, the Apple Intelligence and AI assistant Siri, which are considered essential features of the new iPhones, are unavailable due to local regulatory issues. Apple's official website states, 'Apple Intelligence will be released once approved by regulatory authorities.'
Former Apple CEO Tim Cook mentioned in July that efforts were underway to launch Apple Intelligence in China, but no specific plans regarding the local release were provided during the product announcement event.
China, being the largest foldable phone market, is a critical area for the iPhone Duo. Huawei, which holds about 70% of the market share, represents a significant barrier for Apple in China.
Huawei has expanded its foldable phone lineup early on, securing consumer loyalty in China. Just two days before the iPhone Duo's unveiling, Huawei launched new tri-fold phones, including the 'Mate XT2,' emphasizing its lead in foldable phone technology.
The competition between the two companies is fierce in the overall smartphone market as well. According to market research firm IDC, Huawei held a 22.6% market share in China's smartphone market in the second quarter of this year, ranking first, while Apple followed with 18.1%. The launch of the iPhone Duo could intensify competition not only in the premium smartphone segment but also in the foldable phone market.
Given Apple's strong brand presence and loyal customer base in China's premium smartphone market, there are expectations that the iPhone Duo could shift the dynamics in the foldable phone sector.
Francisco Jeronimo, vice president at IDC, told the South China Morning Post, 'The real battleground is China,' noting that while Huawei dominates the Chinese foldable phone market, Apple has presented a reason for Chinese consumers to reconsider existing foldable options.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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