The iPhone Duo Crackgate fiasco is starting to hurt Apple (a little), but I think we can do better
Apple's flawed first foldable is expected by some to sell in lower numbers than originally predicted, but those still seem way higher than the iPhone Duo deserves.
For the longest time, Apple was predicted by the most experienced industry pundits and the most reliable analytics firms out there to make an instant impact on the foldable market, snatching away Samsung's global vendor crown the very year the iPhone Duo (formerly known as the iPhone Fold and iPhone Ultra) entered the arena.
Of course, that started to look less and less likely as it became clearer and clearer that the device would not only be released close to the end of 2026, but also that its availability would be limited for (at least) the first couple of months on the market. Unsurprisingly, that led research companies like Smart Analytics Global (SAG) to move the goalposts in Apple's favor and expect the Cupertino-based tech giant to crush its Korean arch-rival in foldable shipments in 2027.
But that might not happen after all either, and it's relatively easy to understand why if you've followed the latest mobile tech news and social media rumblings these last few weeks.
The iPhone Duo is not all that it was cracked up to be
This is just one of far too many broken iPhone Duo units that have made the rounds on the interwebs of late. | Image by chimchambam on Reddit
But because corners were very obviously cut and build quality compromises were made, the iPhone Duo is no longer expected to be a cracking success (pun most definitely intended), with that 6 million projection revised down to 5 million and Apple's 41 percent market share for 2027 slashed to under 30 percent.
Keep in mind that it's still super-early for 2027 forecasts, especially when it comes to such a volatile division as foldables, and depending on how well Apple is going to manage the "Crackgate" scandal going forward, both those numbers (and especially the one tipped for next year) could be reduced further.
We can't let Apple get away with this
Whether you're a fan or a hater, I think you will all agree that Apple is the only company in the world that could have ever emerged from a public controversy like "Crackgate" with the (realistic) hopes of still selling millions and millions of potentially flawed (first-gen) devices.
Apple can't become the world's number two foldable vendor after the iPhone Duo Crackgate debacle. | Image by TrendForce
In a way, of course, we're dealing with a vicious cycle of sorts here, as Apple can't simply give up on millions of sales (of at least $2,000 each) while you're still flocking to order the iPhone Duo, and many of the brand's long-time loyalists can't give up their dream of owning the first-ever foldable iPhone while it's still available.
Poll
4 Votes
What should Apple do about the iPhone Duo?
Who will blink first? I have no idea, but although I perfectly understand why some of you continue to blindly trust the brand you love so much, you should definitely think long and hard what the right thing to do here is... both for your sake and that of the entire foldable market.
The iPhone Duo 2 MUST be A LOT better
And the only way it will be (fundamentally) better is if you show maturity and start punishing Apple... yesterday. The second-gen iPhone Duo clearly doesn't need better cameras, larger screens, improved battery life, or even a faster processor compared to the first edition, instead requiring key foundational design alterations that will probably not happen unless Apple admits "Crackgate" is a real and widespread problem that should have never escaped the company's quality control.
The iPhone Duo's sequel needs to be improved in at least one fundamental way. | Image by PhoneArena
Obviously, the iPhone Duo 2 also needs to come out relatively quickly after its disappointing predecessor to wash the bad taste out of so many Apple fans' mouths right now, and that can probably only happen if the company shifts its focus entirely on this sequel rather than continuing to try (and failing) to control the Crackgate narrative and downplay the seriousness of the widely reported issues.
Now, I'm not saying that Apple should discontinue the iPhone Duo prematurely... mostly because I know the company would lose billions of dollars on such a move, but I am advising you to indirectly retire the device by refusing to buy it if you haven't done so yet or asking for a refund if you're still eligible. It might sound odd, but in the long run, that's likely to help the foldable market a great deal even though it will probably hurt it in the short term.
Check out these other iPhone Duo-focused stories as well:
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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