Apple's Foldable iPhone Duo Sends Market Value Soaring by $146 Billion

Apple's market value surged by $146 billion after the company launched its foldable iPhone Duo, also known as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The launch event, dubbed 'Surprise and Shine', saw Apple shares climb to $326.12 on Thursday, representing an increase of $10.78 per share from the previous day.

The iPhone Duo's starting price of $1,999 is lower than earlier rumors suggesting a price of $2,200-$2,500, which may help Apple reach more customers and drive adoption in the foldable smartphone market. However, this could also mean that the company is prioritizing sales over profit margins.

Morgan Stanley believes that Apple's decision to price the iPhone Duo lower indicates a focus on driving sales rather than maximizing profits from each device. Jefferies and brokerage firm Rosenblatt have offered similar assessments, suggesting that Apple is more concerned with expanding its foldable smartphone market share than with maximizing margins.