Apple has put a hefty price tag on its first foldable iPhone. The iPhone Duo starts at Dh8,499 in the UAE. For those who want more storage, the 2TB model can climb up to Dh13,599. Pre-orders for Duo will start on October 16, while sales begin on October 23. In the US, the phone starts at USD 1,999, making the UAE price higher after conversion.

At Dh8,499, the iPhone Duo enters a very different spending category. A buyer in the UAE could use the same money for a decent second-hand car, depending on the model and condition. The amount could also cover a long overseas trip, including flights, hotels, and other costs. 

For example, Dubai and Jeddah at around Dh1,301. So, a consumer can book up to six trips to Jeddah at a similar price. Even a Dubai-London return ticket costs Dh3,775. So, at the same price as one iPhone Duo, a user could get approximately two return trips from London to Dubai. 

Even in some cases, the phone’s price is more than a month’s rent in residential areas. Some Dubai residents pay Dh50,000 a year in apartment rent. In that case, the monthly rent comes to around Dh4,167 a month. So, the price of Apple’s foldable model is almost two months’ rent.

Apple is clearly placing the iPhone Duo at the top end of the phone market. The UAE price is above the US starting price. Prices in some other markets are even higher. This shows that Apple is not trying to make its first foldable an affordable option.

The bigger question is whether buyers will accept the premium. Samsung and Chinese phone makers have already built a strong foldable market. The iPhone Duo is not just another new iPhone. Its price is a clear signal that Apple wants its foldable to feel like a premium product from day one. If buyers are willing to pay that much, the company could push foldables further into the luxury phone market.