Apple’s Foldable iPhone Duo Sparks Divergent Analyst Views

Apple is preparing to launch its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, with pre-orders slated for later this month and an official release shortly thereafter. The device, priced at $1,999 and marketed as the largest display in the iPhone line, is positioned as a compact, passport-sized phone when folded. The announcement has prompted a split among market commentators regarding its potential impact on Apple’s stock performance.

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The rollout occurs under new chief executive John Ternus, who assumed the role in early September following Tim Cook’s tenure. This is the first iPhone launch overseen by Ternus. Alongside the Duo, Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, both carrying $100 price increases over the prior year’s models, while omitting a lower-priced base model for the current cycle. Analysts at Morgan Stanley highlighted the broader product slate, projecting four straight years of iPhone unit growth—the first such streak since fiscal 2015—and an earnings-per-share compound growth of roughly 13 % between fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2028.

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Morgan Stanley trimmed its price target for Apple by $5 to $355 per share, citing expectations that the Duo’s limited first-year supply will constrain near-term financial upside. The firm forecast up to 20 million Duo units in the first production cycle, estimating $43 billion in fiscal 2027 revenue—about 14 % of Apple’s projected total iPhone sales of $301.9 billion for that year. In contrast, market commentator Jim Cramer argued that the analysts underweight the Duo’s long-term significance, noting that the research report mentions the device only five times. Cramer suggested investors consider buying Apple if the stock shows short-term weakness, labeling the Duo a “revolutionary” catalyst for future growth.

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Apple’s shares slipped roughly 1 % to around $329 in the afternoon following the announcement, marking a decline of more than 4 % from the recent 52-week high of $345.34. The stock has risen over 28 % in the past six months, a performance that Morgan Stanley believes may limit further outperformance, while Cramer sees the upcoming Duo launch as a potential inflection point.

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When questioned about supply, CEO John Ternus expressed confidence that Apple can meet demand for the Duo, despite the production constraints highlighted by Morgan Stanley. Apple’s own messaging emphasizes the device’s sleek, pocket-friendly design and its status as the largest display ever offered in the iPhone family.

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