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iPhone Duo. / Apple

Pre-orders for Apple's first foldable phone, the "iPhone Duo," open at 9:00 p.m. on the 16th, with South Korea's three major telecom carriers rolling out various promotional benefits. Featuring a passport-style book fold similar to Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Z Fold 8, the iPhone Duo goes head-to-head with the Fold 8 in the foldable form factor. While the Fold 8 has proven to be thinner and lighter, and the iPhone Duo carries a substantial price tag in the 3 million won range, the debut of a foldable model from Apple—backed by a loyal user base—could expand the overall market footprint of foldable devices depending on consumer reception.

On the same day, the three major telecom carriers—SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus—unveiled various perks to mark the launch of the iPhone Duo.

SK Telecom is offering purchase vouchers and trade-in compensation for used phones, along with a "first-day delivery" guarantee for customers who complete pre-orders by noon on the 20th. It is also providing complimentary access to over-the-top (OTT) streaming services for a specified period to all activated users.

KT emphasized that subscribers to designated rate plans can select from diverse perks spanning AI, content, connected devices, and phone care based on individual preferences. KT is likewise operating a guaranteed launch-day delivery service for pre-order customers.

LG Uplus is offering benefits worth up to 1 million won or more for customers meeting specific criteria, alongside a rate plan that compensates up to 70% of the retail price when returning the device starting from the sixth month after activation.

Unveiled by Apple last month, the iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch display when folded and expands to 7.6 inches when unfolded. It comes in four storage configurations—256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB—with prices ranging from 3.29 million won to 5.09 million won. Available color options are Star White and Night Sky.

During the announcement, Apple's new CEO John Ternus remarked, "What we wanted was a large-screen experience that feels as natural and intuitive as the iPad." The device is designed to maintain key iPad advantages on a large screen, including support for the Apple Pencil.

                                                                                                              Ahn So-yeon