BEIJING, Oct 23: Scalpers gathered outside Apple’s flagship store in Beijing as the company launched its iPhone Duo, offering customers up to 3,000 yuan ($448) to sell their new phones immediately. The demand for the device reflects strong interest in foldable smartphones in China, the largest market for such products.
Among those in line was Mary Tong, who arrived at 6 a.m. She believes many Chinese consumers prefer foldable phones, stating, “Apple has been the laggard,” due to its slower adoption of this design compared to local competitors.
With a price ranging from $1,900 to $3,000 depending on storage options, the iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch display, significantly larger than the latest iPhone 18 Pro. However, initial expectations for Apple’s new AI, set to be tested later this month, are low. John Zhao, who tried Apple Intelligence while abroad, said it was “nice but not beyond imagination.”
Apple’s decision to limit online sales to two phones per customer further fueled demand. Customers who arrived for walk-in purchases faced disappointing news, as Apple stated the Duo would not be available for immediate sale in stores.
Huawei, a key rival, recently launched its trifold phone, the Mate XT2, priced at around $3,000. Xiaomi also introduced a new foldable device around the same time, intensifying competition for Apple.