GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple opened preorders for the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, on Friday at 5 a.m. PT. Preordered units are now backordered until January 29, even though the phone officially launches October 23 and will be available in stores that day. The device starts at $1,999 and features a 7.6-inch inner display, a 5.4-inch outer screen, dual 48-megapixel cameras, and Apple Pencil support.
Apple has entered the foldables market with the iPhone Duo, adopting a shorter, wider form factor similar to Samsung's Galaxy Fold 8 and Google's Pixel Fold rather than taller folding designs. CNET's hands-on coverage notes the device is priced near $2,000 and offers Apple's typical build quality, though it lacks the camera and battery upgrades found in the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Counterpoint Research reports worldwide smartphone shipments dropped 20% in the third quarter of 2026, the lowest level since 2012, as a shortage of DRAM and NAND chips pushed phone prices up roughly 20% this year. Samsung and Apple both gained market share—23% and 22% respectively—but each still saw shipments decline year-over-year, while Samsung raised Galaxy S26 prices by $100 and Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro line launched $100 higher than its predecessor.
Samsung has begun rolling out Android 17-based One UI 9 to newer devices like the Galaxy Fold 8 and Flip 8, while older models approach the end of their update lifespans. Support duration varies widely across Samsung's lineup, with budget A-series phones generally receiving fewer years of meaningful software updates than flagship models.
Foldable phones like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 and Apple's new iPhone Duo include a factory-installed protector on their flexible inner displays, since the screens use layered flexible material rather than rigid glass. Apple's version adds a nano-texture coating that creates a matte finish and reduces crease visibility. Both companies warn against removing or replacing this protector yourself, offering official repair channels instead.
Samsung Electronics anticipates its quarterly operating profit to reach approximately 107.4 trillion won ($80 billion), marking a ninefold increase from the previous year. This surge is primarily attributed to heightened demand for memory chips used in AI data centers, alongside strong sales of new foldable smartphones launched in August. The company’s full earnings report for the third quarter will be published at the end of October.
At the All-In conference in Los Angeles, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang took a live on-stage phone call from President Trump using a Samsung Galaxy Fold 8, not an Apple device as initially reported. During the call, the two discussed AI safety, with Trump dismissing fears about AI risks as a 'hoax' benefiting China and political opponents, and Huang appearing to agree that the technology's momentum shouldn't be slowed.