Apple’s first foldable iPhone enters a market already served by Android manufacturers, including Samsung, Google, Motorola, HONOR and Xiaomi. Their existing devices offer alternatives in screen design, photography, battery capacity and multitasking, although switching from Apple’s iOS ecosystem to Android is a significant consideration.
Apple announced the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, 2026, opened preorders on Oct. 16 and scheduled its retail launch for Oct. 23. Starting at US$1,999 for 256GB of storage, the phone opens from a 5.4-inch external display into a 7.6-inch internal screen. Its arrival follows years of development by Android manufacturers in the book-style foldable category.
The five alternatives below were announced or released before the Duo’s retail debut. Samsung, Google and Motorola compete in the premium segment, while HONOR emphasizes slim hardware and battery capacity, and Xiaomi offers a lower starting price in China. All five run Android, so their appeal depends partly on how their software and services compare with Apple’s iOS ecosystem.
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8: Multitasking and productivity
Launch date: Aug. 7 in select markets.
Starting price: US$1,899.99.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 is a direct competitor to the iPhone Duo. Its 7.6-inch internal display provides space for documents, video calls and multiple apps, while Samsung’s multitasking tools let users run applications side by side.
The Fold8 builds on several generations of Samsung foldables, giving the company experience refining hinges, flexible displays and software for larger screens. Its established approach to multitasking makes it particularly relevant to people who use their phones for work as well as communication and entertainment.
At US$1,899.99, the 256GB model starts about US$100 below Apple’s foldable. The small price difference emphasizes the software experience and productivity features rather than savings.
Best for: People who want a foldable designed around multitasking and a tablet-like workspace.
2. Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Google’s AI and camera features
Launch date: Aug. 20.
Starting price: US$1,899.
Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold combines an 8-inch internal display with a 6.5-inch external screen. The larger panel offers room for reading, editing documents and working across applications, while Google’s Android software integrates its services and Gemini AI tools.
Photography is another part of its appeal. The Pixel’s camera system includes a dedicated telephoto lens, and Google’s image-processing software is designed to improve results in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a telephoto camera alone does not establish overall camera superiority, however; image quality also depends on the sensor, optics and processing.
The large display can also expose inconsistencies in how some applications adapt when users move between the external and internal screens. That makes software optimization an important part of the foldable experience, alongside screen size and camera hardware.
At US$1,899, the Pixel’s starting price is close to Samsung’s and below Apple’s.
Best for: People who value Google’s software, AI features, photography tools and a large internal display.
3. Motorola Razr Fold: Battery capacity and fast charging
Launch date: Aug. 4, 2026.
Starting price: Approximately US$1,900.
Motorola’s Razr Fold combines an 8.1-inch internal display with a 6.6-inch external screen. Its 6,000 mAh battery is a central feature, particularly for people who spend long periods watching videos, gaming or working on their phones.
The device supports wired charging of up to 80 watts and wireless charging of up to 50 watts. It also supports the Moto Pen Ultra stylus on both displays, adding options for handwritten notes and work with on-screen content.
Battery capacity and charging speed do not determine real-world endurance on their own. Screen brightness, network conditions and application use all affect how long a phone lasts between charges.
The Razr Fold’s IP49 rating also differs from the iPhone Duo’s IP68 rating. These certifications indicate different levels of protection, so the numbers should not be treated as interchangeable measures of durability.
Best for: People who prioritize battery capacity, fast charging and stylus support.
4. HONOR Magic V6: Slim hardware and a large battery
Launch date: June 4, 2026.
Starting price: Approximately US$2,700 in the UK market, converted to U.S. dollars.
HONOR announced the Magic V6 in June, highlighting its slim construction, battery technology and durability. Its design targets a common challenge for book-style foldables: providing a large internal display without making the closed phone excessively bulky.
The Magic V6 has a 7.95-inch internal display and a 6.52-inch external screen. HONOR specifies a 6,660 mAh silicon-carbon battery, wired charging of up to 80 watts and wireless charging of up to 66 watts. Its IP68 and IP69 ratings also indicate tested protection against dust and water under specified conditions.
HONOR’s pricing varies by market. The approximate U.S.-dollar figure here represents a UK-market price converted for comparison, not a confirmed U.S. retail price. The phone’s value therefore depends on local pricing and distribution, particularly in countries where HONOR has limited retail or repair coverage.
The Magic V6 expands the comparison beyond the best-known U.S. smartphone brands. Its combination of a slim design and high battery capacity makes it a notable alternative in markets where the phone is officially available.
Best for: People interested in slim foldable hardware, battery capacity and premium specifications.
5. Xiaomi 18 Fold: A lower starting price
Launch date: Announced Sept. 7, 2026, in China.
Starting price: Approximately US$1,500.
Xiaomi’s 18 Fold offers a lower starting price than the iPhone Duo in its home market. Its reported Chinese launch price converts to approximately US$1,500, about US$500 below Apple’s starting price before taxes and other costs.
The phone has a book-style folding design, a 7.58-inch internal display and a 5.38-inch external screen. Its reported specifications include a 6,000 mAh battery, Leica-branded camera hardware and configurations with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
The principal limitation is international availability. The Chinese launch price is not a confirmed global retail price, and buyers in other markets may face shipping costs, import duties and retailer markups. Software configurations, Google services, network compatibility and warranty coverage can also differ between regional models.
These differences make the Xiaomi particularly relevant to the Chinese market, where its launch price is directly applicable. Elsewhere, the final cost and software experience depend on the specific version sold or imported.
Best for: People in China and international buyers interested in a lower-priced, high-specification foldable.
How the alternatives compare with the iPhone Duo
The five phones illustrate the different approaches Android manufacturers have taken to book-style foldables. Samsung emphasizes multitasking, Google combines its software and camera features, and Motorola focuses on battery capacity and charging. HONOR pairs a slim design with a large battery, while Xiaomi offers a lower starting price in China.
The price gap between Apple and the three U.S.-priced Android alternatives is relatively small: Samsung, Google and Motorola start at around US$1,900, compared with the Duo’s US$1,999. HONOR’s converted UK price is higher, while Xiaomi’s Chinese starting price is lower. These figures represent different markets and should not be interpreted as directly equivalent retail offers.
The operating-system divide is just as significant. The Duo runs iOS, with Apple’s services and integration across devices such as the Mac and Apple Watch. The alternatives run Android, with software experiences shaped by Samsung, Google, Motorola, HONOR and Xiaomi. That distinction affects apps, services and device integration as much as the hardware does.
Apple’s entry adds another major manufacturer to a category that Android brands have developed over several years. The competing phones show that foldable designs can prioritize different things: productivity, photography, endurance, portability or affordability. The most meaningful comparison is therefore not simply which phone costs less, but how each manufacturer’s approach to hardware and software shapes the experience of using a folding screen.