Apple's First Foldable iPhone Launches in Israel with Premium Pricing
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, will be available for pre-order in Israel on October 16, with official sales starting October 23. Priced significantly higher than in the US, the device starts at NIS 8,199 for the 256GB model. Pelephone and Partner are offering different promotional packages, including trade-in deals and extended warranties. The iPhone Duo features dual OLED displays, a titanium body, and IP68 water resistance, competing in a growing foldable market dominated by Samsung.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, launches in Israel on October 16.
- Pricing for the iPhone Duo in Israel starts at NIS 8,199 for the 256GB model.
- Pelephone and Partner are the initial carriers offering the foldable iPhone in Israel.
- Promotional offers include extended warranties, trade-in programs, and discounts on accessories.
- The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch foldable display and a titanium body with IP68 rating.
Apple's inaugural foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is set to become available for pre-order in Israel on Friday, October 16, at 3:00 PM. Both Pelephone and Partner will initially offer the device exclusively through their websites, with free delivery until October 23. The official retail launch is scheduled for Friday, October 23.
The iPhone Duo features a book-style folding design, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series. Pricing in Israel is substantial, starting at NIS 8,199 for the 256GB model and reaching NIS 12,199 for the 2TB version. These prices are considerably higher than the US launch price of $1,999 for the 256GB model, before local taxes.
Partner has committed to matching any lower official import price offered by KSP. However, other retailers like KSP and MASHBIRI HASHMAL may offer competitive pricing, and stores such as Osher Ad, Yohananof, Rami Levy, and Victory might also enter the market through parallel imports.
Promotional offers vary between carriers. Pelephone is providing a lifetime warranty, nationwide repair service, a free backup battery, and discounts on AirPods 5 and Apple Watch models for early purchasers. They also offer a trade-in program valuing old devices up to NIS 3,000, with an option for direct bank credit via Pele Cash.
Partner is offering three years of warranty, service through 27 labs, and a replacement device for extended repairs. Additionally, they provide a NIS 50 discount on their Private Care Top service, which includes one free screen repair. Their trade-in program is more generous, offering up to NIS 4,300 in credit for iPhone 11 models or newer, compared to Pelephone's NIS 3,000.
The iPhone Duo boasts dual Super Retina XDR OLED displays with ProMotion technology up to 120Hz. The external 5.4-inch screen functions as a compact smartphone display, while the unfolded 7.6-inch internal screen is designed for multitasking, video viewing, and gaming. It is powered by Apple's A20 Pro chip, features a side-mounted Touch ID sensor, eSIM support, and is compatible with the USB-C Apple Pencil. The device includes a titanium body and IP68 water and dust resistance.
In comparison, Samsung's Galaxy Z foldable series includes the Fold (book-style, NIS 2,950-6,000) and the Flip (clamshell, NIS 2,500-3,800). Foldable devices are gaining market share in Israel's premium smartphone segment, with the Z Flip leading in sales due to its affordability and compact design, while the Fold models appeal to executives as luxury devices.
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