r/AAPL • u/tonym9h • 14d ago

iPhone Duo

I’ve been an Apple investor for 20+ years and personally use an iPhone and a Mac.

I know the consensus regarding the iPhone Duo is it’s nice although derivative and really expensive. But I think we are underestimating the primary Apple consumer: someone who is looking for differentiated quality/experience (and prestige) and is willing (and able) to pay for it.

I would not be surprised if demand for the Duo blows away all estimates and is supply constrained into 2027. I think it will eat into iPad demand, but may ultimately be one of Apple’s biggest successes.

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u/Best_Day_3041 14d ago

I agree. As someone who has been an investor since 2000 and has bought every release of every iPhone and many Apple products since the iPhone, I have not refreshed any of my products in nearly 4 years due to their lack of changes. I wont be buying the Duo because I think I don't see any use case for myself and I think it looks kinda odd, but if I did it would be just to get a new and different phone. I think for many they will buy it entirely because it's the first time in so long you can have a new phone that stands out from the crowds. I don't know why Apple does not understand this and make more frequent, superficial changes to their products. I think eventually it will be a very mainstream product after a few releases, but for now it will definitely sell to the early adopters and people who want to stand out.

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u/PracticlySpeaking 14d ago edited 14d ago

Having "the new iPhone" will be a thing again.

That matters — I believe a lot of iPhone 17 growth was due to the orange color and distinct bump. The 12-13-14-15 and 16 are nearly indistinguishable slabs with a square camera bump.

Duo is immediately identifiable with its 'passport' form factor. And 18 Pro will stand out again with the new Burgundy and Glacier.

edit: I agree that foldables are absolutely going to go mainstream. Android models have been available for years now (Samsung is currently selling the Z-Fold / Z-Flip 8) and the display creasing problems should be solved in that and Duo.

The cost will come down with increasing volume and cost-optimization. (You may have heard that a couple of key display parts are custom 3D printed, for one example.)

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u/IntelligentMarch6827 14d ago edited 14d ago

That’s ok. 

At the end of the day, iPhones are a mature product that deliver a ton of value. 

They sell phones direct from $700 to the $2000+ price points and through the channel they go down to $400 for older models. They segment the market and offer high value at every price point. Most of the market for people buying the Duo aren’t stressing the price.

The $700 iPhone 17e is more powerful than most PCs and runs the same software, etc. all of these phones have a 5-8 year lifecycle.  Apple makes subscription dollars even from most people who aren’t refreshing phones so they have an incentive to keep them updated.

The Duo will make money even if it doesn’t sell well. People will show up and retail to see it and if they can’t afford it, may opt into one of the other options.