Apple has finally entered the foldable phone market with the iPhone Duo, and the announcement has generated as much debate as excitement. The device carries a starting price of USD 1,999, which makes it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold. For many buyers, this price tag raises a fair question: Is a foldable phone from Apple worth it, or would the same budget be better spent on a rival device that offers similar innovation at a lower cost?
The foldable phone category has matured a great deal over the past few years, and several brands now offer devices that rival Apple on design, durability, and software, often at a friendlier price. This article looks at why the iPhone Duo costs so much and lists five foldable phones worth considering as alternatives.
Why Apple’s iPhone Duo Carries a Heavy Price Tag
The iPhone Duo opens like a book and reveals a 7.6-inch internal display, which Apple describes as the largest screen ever placed inside an iPhone. The cover screen measures 5.4 inches, and the device runs on Apple’s A20 Pro chip paired with a new cooling system. Apple claims this combination delivers 35% higher sustained performance compared with the iPhone 17 Pro. Battery life is rated at 31 hours of video playback, and the phone includes dual 48-megapixel rear cameras along with an under-display FaceTime camera. These components, along with the folding mechanism and reinforced hinge, add to key manufacturing costs. Foldable displays remain expensive to produce, and Apple has spent years refining the technology to avoid a visible crease, a problem that affected earlier foldables from other brands. The result is a premium device built with premium components.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 remains one of the strongest book-style foldables on the market and starts at around USD 1,799, which is USD 200 less than the iPhone Duo. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, features a flagship camera system, and is noted for being one of the thinnest foldables available when closed. Samsung’s DeX mode also turns the phone into a near-laptop experience when connected to a keyboard, adding genuine productivity value beyond entertainment and browsing.
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Pixel 10 Pro Fold is priced near USD 1,799 at launch, though it can often be found closer to USD 1,499 through retailers. What sets this device apart is durability. It carries the first IP68 water resistance rating given to a folding phone, a meaningful upgrade over earlier foldables that struggled with dust and moisture protection. Google also backs the phone with seven years of software updates, the longest commitment offered on any foldable today, which gives buyers strong long-term value for their money.
Honor Magic V5
Honor has positioned the Magic V5 as a direct challenger to Samsung and Apple, pricing it at EUR 1,999 in Europe, which works out to roughly 100 pounds less than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in the UK market. The phone measures just 8.8 millimetres when folded, making it one of the slimmest foldables sold anywhere. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, includes a 5,820mAh battery, and offers a triple rear camera system with a periscope telephoto lens. For buyers who want flagship specifications without paying Apple-level prices, the Magic V5 is a compelling option.
Motorola Razr Ultra
Not every buyer wants a large book-style device, and Motorola’s Razr Ultra 2026 caters to those who prefer a compact flip phone. Priced at USD 1,499, it features a 5,000mAh battery, dual 50-megapixel cameras suited for vlogging, and a bright cover display that supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 plus. Reviewers have noted that the price rose by 200 dollars over the previous generation, yet the phone still undercuts the iPhone Duo by USD 500 while offering a genuinely different form factor built around portability and design.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
For buyers who want to experience a foldable phone without spending close to USD 2,000, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at around USD 999, roughly half the price of the iPhone Duo. It features a 4.1-inch cover screen that displays notifications, camera previews, and widgets without needing to open the phone. Samsung has also strengthened the hinge design in this generation, addressing a common concern among flip phone owners regarding long-term durability. It is not built for heavy multitasking the way the larger Fold models are, but it delivers the foldable experience at a price that many more people can afford.
Foldable Phones Comparison Table
| Phone | Starting Price | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone Duo | USD 1,999 | Largest iPhone screen, A20 Pro chip |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | USD 1,799 | DeX mode, thin design |
| Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold | USD 1,499 – 1,799 | IP68 water resistance, 7-year updates |
| Honor Magic V5 | EUR 1,999 | Slimmest foldable, 5,820mAh battery |
| Motorola Razr Ultra | USD 1,499 | Compact flip, Dolby Vision cover display |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 | USD 999 | Affordable flip, 4.1-inch cover screen |
Final Thoughts
The iPhone Duo is a genuinely impressive piece of engineering, and Apple has clearly worked to solve problems that affected earlier foldables, including screen creasing and hinge durability. However, its USD 1,999 starting price places it firmly in premium territory, and buyers now have several strong alternatives that offer comparable innovation at a lower cost. Samsung, Google, Honor, and Motorola have each built foldables that suit different needs, whether that means better software support, a slimmer design, a compact flip form, or simply a friendlier price. Choosing the right foldable ultimately depends on individual priorities such as brand ecosystem, camera quality, and long-term software support, rather than price alone. For most buyers, comparing these options carefully before committing to Apple’s most expensive iPhone yet is a sensible step.










