The launch of the iPhone Duo is a play to reinvigorate iPhone sales by offering something new to consumers. It may make up close to half of the foldables market by 2027.

Apple's introduction of the iPhone Duo confirmed long-time rumors of the development of a folding smartphone. Its launch wasn't without a small amount of sticker shock, with consumers expected to pay $1,999 for the base model.

However, before the iPhone Duo makes it to consumer hands, analysts are already claiming it will be a help to Apple's iPhone fortunes.

In Sunday's report from The Information, IDC analysts forecast that Apple will be selling 10 million units in the first 12 months after launch.

The model will introduce "novelty" and help drive high-end customers willing to pay the highest prices for whatever Apple brings out, says IDC VP for data and analytics Francisco Jeronimo.

A revenue bump up

Revenue from iPhones hasn't really changed much over the last few years. With relatively flat revenue from 2022 to 2025 and just a 4% rise in the fiscal year ending September 2025, thanks to four-year upgraders. Apple had work to do on improving matters for its flagship product.

Jeronimo believes that a product like the iPhone Duo could help lift sales by nudging consumers who upgrade more frequently to do so. Novelty is apparently a big factor for some consumers.

The first year's 10-million-unit forecast should rake in $27 billion for Apple, including consumers paying for the more expensive, higher-capacity models. This would reflect 6% of Apple's total expected revenue for the fiscal 2026 year.

The skew to more costly variants isn't new, as it's been observed in other rival foldables, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8.

While expensive, analysts believe that existing consumers who opt for the already-costly Pro and Pro Max versions could transition over to the Duo.

Trade-ins will also help sales for the Duo, as will the increasingly popular use of installment plans.

A big market impact

For Apple, the sales from foldable smartphones in general are a good reason to step in to the market. Global revenue from that product category rose 16% year-over-year in 2025, versus a 7% growth for non-foldables, IDC said.

Apple can also expect to secure a large amount of the foldables market with the iPhone Duo alone.

To IDC, Android foldables made up close to 90% of the niche in 2025. The 2026 forecast has Apple netting about 30% to Android's 50%, with 2027 seeing iOS hitting 40% of foldable market share

Apple certainly has the potential to make big swings in markets its only just entering. Unless there is a massive blunder, the forecasts should be in the ballpark of reality.