Apple's first foldable phone is now in South African shops, and it is the most expensive iPhone ever sold there. The iPhone Duo went on sale on Friday, 23 October, at iStore and other retailers, TechCentral reports.
- 256GB: R47,999
- 512GB: R52,999
- 1TB: R62,499
- 2TB: R76,999
The 2TB model costs R17,000 more than the most expensive iPhone 18 Pro Max, which sells for R59,999.
Hard to get, mixed reviews
Within minutes of pre-orders opening the previous Friday, Apple's estimated delivery dates slipped to late January as demand outran supply. Apple called the response "nothing short of extraordinary". In several markets, including the US, Canada and much of Europe, walk-in stock is limited; in China, France, India and Japan, buyers can only collect phones ordered online.
Reviewers praised the design and a sturdy, barely visible hinge. They criticised the camera, which has no telephoto lens, third-party apps that still need updating for the new screen, and the smaller folded form. Marques Brownlee called it a "really fun phone" for enthusiasts but said people who mainly text, scroll and browse probably do not need it. John Gruber described it as "an extraordinarily polished prototype".
The launch is an early test for chief executive John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on 1 September. IDC expects Apple to take 44% of the foldable market by value this year.
