Michael Sherman|Published
The long-awaited iPhone Duo has finally opened up for orders in South Africa, and it's come in at slightly less than the expected R50,000 mark.
The entry-level 256GB iPhone Duo carries a price tag of R47,999. Given that the device starts at $1,999 (roughly R32,789) in the US, local import duties and taxes account for approximately R15,216 of that final cost.
While that sum remains tough to justify—even for Cupertino’s maiden voyage into foldables—it lands slightly below early industry projections that had tipped the starting price at R50,000.
Stepping up in capacity bump comes with a steep curve: the 512GB model lands at R52,999, the 1TB variant reaches R62,499, and the range-topping 2TB configuration tops out at an eye-watering R76,999. iStore will also offers trade in options, while Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C contracts will also be available in store.
Foldables: A Niche Segment with High Price Barriers and Novelty Appeal
Foldables continue to represent a niche segment within the broader smartphone ecosystem, primarily constrained by these steep price barriers. Competitors in Samsung's Fold lineup operate within a similar premium range, though rival devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 or Huawei Mate X7 arguably deliver greater overall value for money.
To put those numbers into perspective, opting out of the baseline 256GB iPhone Duo leaves enough room in the budget to easily secure a top-tier 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max for R45,699 instead.
Ultimately, the primary driver behind the Duo’s inflated price tag is sheer novelty. It brings a completely fresh form factor to Apple's catalog and signals the tech giant's official entry into foldable tech.
By comparison, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at R40,999 for the 256GB variant, offering a notably more palatable entry point for foldable enthusiasts. With Samsung having iterated on its flexible display hardware since 2019, it presents a considerably safer bet than spending hard-earned capital on Apple's first-generation hardware.
With Pre-orders opening on Friday, shipping is expected to take between one and two weeks until these niches devices will starting popping up in public.