Are consumers ready for a $2,000 foldable iPhone?
Many buyers will think twice before splurging on the phone.
An Apple Store employee assists a customer. Photo by Cheng Xin/Getty Images.
- Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone, with prices reportedly starting at $2,000.
- Higher storage models may reach $3,000.
- A CNET survey found 25% of US adults want one, but average spending interest is $781.
- The survey found 75% of US adults are not interested in buying Apple’s foldable phone.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
Apple will soon unveil its much-anticipated iPhone foldable. However, the price bracket it places its new device in might scare potential buyers away.
In just hours, Apple is scheduled to unveil its latest products at the "Surprise and Shine" event in Cupertino, California, where its new CEO, John Ternus, will take over the stage from Tim Cook.
While the company is expected to release several new products, including the iPhone 18 Pro, new Apple Watches, and updated AirPods, the spotlight will be on Apple’s first foldable smartphone.
The foldable iPhone Duo is expected to be sold at the starting price of $2,000. While details about the new phone remain sparse, users have already shared why it might not be their first choice.
Foldable iPhone Duo: What will you pay for?
It’s been reported that the basic-level smartphone will come with 256GB of storage, and the company will also offer larger storage variants. However, those may cost up to $3,000, according to Bloomberg.
The reason for such high prices is the ongoing memory shortage.
The smartphone is also expected to feature a passport-like design, similar to that of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8.
Regarding other specifications, it’s been revealed that the Apple foldable will also be equipped with its in-house C2 modem and the A20 Pro chip. The device will include dual 48-megapixel rear cameras and a 12-megapixel front camera.
The iPhone Duo will be able to run multiple apps simultaneously, allowing users to multitask, and will feature a magnetic hinge to support the Apple Pencil stylus.
The new smartphone will be available in 2 colors: white and dark blue, and is expected to hit the shelves as early as October.
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How interested are users in Apple's foldable?
Perhaps the cost of flagship phones shouldn’t seem as shocking, considering that many foldables, especially newly released ones, come with a 4-figure price tag.
For example, the latest Samsung Galaxy Z foldable line starts at $1,100.
However, it seems that Apple's foldable might reach new price heights that may not align with what users are actually ready to spend.
Up to 25% of adults in the US would like to get a foldable iPhone, according to a CNET survey with 2,605 participants.
The survey also revealed that users would spend an average of only $781 on such a smartphone, despite being close to guessing the future device’s price.
Many believed the foldable iPhone could cost an average of $1,847. Nevertheless, this is not the sum they’re ready to pay for a new smartphone themselves.
Despite it being years after the foldables' comeback, it seems that Apple has been waiting for its moment. While the foldable iPhone has been accumulating buzz for the company, it’s not yet clear how users will actually react to the new product.
It’s been reported that 75% of US adults show no interest in the new foldable, with 69% of Gen Z and 68% of Millennials also not interested in getting one, according to the survey.
The current RAM shortage has affected smartphone prices, affecting 41% of US users' plans to upgrade their devices.
