This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) could turn foldable smartphones into a mainstream product category with the newly unveiled iPhone Duo, Bloomberg Strategist Mark Gurman said, pointing to the device’s hardware, software and durability.
Apple introduced the $1,999 Duo on Sept. 9 as its first foldable iPhone. The device opens into a 7.6-inch display and is designed to combine the portability of a phone with a larger screen for tasks such as gaming, video and multitasking.
Gurman expects the Duo to become the leading foldable model and said the broader category could gain much wider adoption over the next decade. Samsung (SSNLF) entered the segment years ago, but foldables still account for only a small portion of global smartphone shipments.
The $1,999 starting price could limit adoption initially. Gurman expects that hurdle to ease as component costs decline and Apple’s device-leasing options expand.
He also sees room for Apple to extend the concept beyond the first model, potentially with larger or less expensive versions. The Duo is scheduled to reach customers Oct. 23, with preorders beginning Oct. 16.