Apple's entry into the foldable market has triggered a dramatic surge in consumer curiosity, according to Google Trends data. Searches for the topic "foldable smartphone" jumped 450% in the 24 hours following the iPhone Duo announcement and are up 1,050% compared with the same period last week.
The spike was also visible on Wikipedia, where the English-language "Foldable smartphone" page recorded 3,398 views on September 9, versus an average of roughly 209 daily views over the previous month—a 16-fold increase.
Search interest peaks, then cools
Worldwide search interest hit its peak index of 100 around the time of Apple's announcement, then gradually eased to the 50–60 range before drifting toward 30s by midday. This pattern is typical of major product launches: an initial burst of curiosity followed by a tapering off as the news cycle moves on.
Where interest is highest
Among 55 regions tracked by Google Trends, China ranked first in search interest over the past 24 hours, followed by Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Taiwan. The top related queries—"foldable," "iphone," "foldable iphone," and "apple"—indicate that Apple's launch is the primary driver behind the broader foldable category's surge.
Google Trends also flagged several "breakout" queries, including "iPhone Duo release date," "iPhone Duo case," and "iPhone 18 Duo," as well as searches related to Motorola's upcoming foldable, suggesting that Apple's entry is drawing attention to rival foldables as well.
What Apple announced
The iPhone Duo, priced at $1,999 and set to ship in October, features a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer display, with an under-display camera on the inner screen. Apple says it used a custom nanotexture finish to reduce glare and minimize the visibility of the fold crease, along with a grade 5 titanium hinge built from more than 100 components. The device uses Touch ID instead of Face ID and can be unlocked with an Apple Watch. It runs on Apple's A20 Pro chip and C2 modem.
Implications for the foldable market
IDC's Francisco Jeronimo called Apple's launch a turning point for the foldable segment, expecting it to boost category awareness and consumer interest, even though foldables are likely to remain a niche. IDC projects the global foldables market will grow 30% in 2026, largely due to Apple's entry, with average selling prices roughly three times higher than standard smartphones.
The search surge suggests that effect is already visible, with interest extending beyond Apple's device to competitors like Motorola as consumers explore the category for the first time. However, supply constraints may limit early sales. The iPhone Duo will launch in just 28 markets initially, compared with over 70 for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Gerrit Schneemann of Counterpoint Research noted that sales volumes will likely be constrained by limited supply rather than demand, meaning early buyers should expect long wait times.
For investors, the foldable market's growth potential is significant, but the immediate impact on Apple's stock may be muted, as seen in Apple's foldable debut and the mixed reaction to iPhone 18 Pro pricing. Meanwhile, rivals like Samsung face pressure, as Samsung shares slid following the announcement.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
