iPhone Duo: How Apple’s patient strategy perfected the foldable phone - IOL

By prioritising performance and seamless software polish over being first to market, Apple’s upcoming iPhone Duo could set a new benchmark for foldable smartphones. Picture: BENJAMIN FANJOY / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

You can say what you want about Apple always being late to adopt new technology, but with the iPhone Duo, the tech giant may have just perfected the foldable phone.

It is true that Apple often takes years to introduce features Android users have enjoyed for ages. But that patient approach is Apple's core strategy (no pun intended).

As a premium brand, Apple takes its time to refine hardware rather than rushing bleeding-edge technology out the door.

Granted, that hasn't always been the case. When Steve Jobs introduced the original MacBook Air back in 2008, he famously pulled it out of a manila envelope to highlight its impossibly thin frame.Under the hood, however, it relied on a slow iPod hard drive, leaving performance severely compromised. For years, Apple consistently prioritised ultra-thin designs over raw power.

That dynamic shifted dramatically in late 2020 when Apple transitioned from Intel processors to custom M1 Apple Silicon.

Overnight, the MacBook Air transformed into a powerhouse. Over the last several years, Apple has proven that sleek form factors no longer require performance compromises.

That refined design philosophy shines through on the iPhone Duo. Watching the software seamlessly animate as the device unfolds from a phone into an iPad Mini-style tablet reveals a level of polish unlike any other foldable on the market.

Unsurprisingly, premium engineering carries a high price tag. While official South African launch details and local pricing remain unconfirmed, the device is expected to retail around R50,000.

Even without hands-on testing—and despite Samsung’s head start in the category—Apple’s calculated delay suggests the iPhone Duo could deliver the most complete foldable experience yet.

* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL.

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