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iPhone Duo at ₹3 Lakh: Why Indian Tech Creators Are Calling Out Apple’s First Foldable’s Price and Early Bugs

The iPhone Duo costs ₹2,99,900 to ₹4,49,900 in India, about ₹1.1 lakh more than in the US. Indian tech creators are calling out the price and early bugs.

A person holding a smartphone in their hand

Photo: Dennis Cortés cortes / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

New Delhi, 10th November 2026: Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, has been on sale in India for just over two weeks, and India’s biggest tech creators are not holding back about its price. At ₹2,99,900 for the base model, it is the most expensive iPhone ever sold in the country.

iPhone Duo price in India

  • 256 GB: ₹2,99,900
  • 512 GB: ₹3,24,900
  • 1 TB: ₹3,74,900
  • 2 TB: ₹4,49,900

The phone starts at $1,999 in the US, about ₹1.9 lakh, so Indian buyers pay roughly ₹1.1 lakh more, DT Next reported. Early units are imported rather than assembled in India, which explains part of the gap. Pre-orders opened on October 16 and sales began on October 23.

What you get for the money

The iPhone Duo is a book-style foldable with a 7.6-inch inner screen, Ceramic Shield glass and an IP68 rating, according to Apple’s launch details reported by Deccan Chronicle. It runs on Apple’s A20 Pro chip and a version of iOS 27 that supports split-view multitasking on the larger screen.

Demand at launch was strong despite the price. Buyers queued at Apple’s stores on October 23, and the first customer at Apple BKC had travelled from Surat, The Free Press Journal reported, citing Digit.

What tech creators are saying

Tech Burner (@techburner), one of India’s most-followed tech creators, has posted a run of reels on the phone with titles such as “₹3 Lakh ke Mehnge Bugs” and “Bechara iPhone Duo”.

YouTuber Geeky Ranjit called the India price “disgusting” and warned it could encourage black marketing, The Free Press Journal reported after the launch.

View this post on Instagram

Video: @techburner on Instagram

The repair bill is the bigger shock

Replacing the inner folding display costs ₹1,49,900, according to Esquire India’s look at Apple’s repair price list, and a combination of repairs can run to ₹2,24,900. The screen alone costs nearly as much as the iPhone 18 Pro’s ₹1,64,900 launch price.

Should you buy one?

For most buyers, a first-generation foldable at this price is a hard sell. Things to weigh:

  • The India premium over the US price is about ₹1.1 lakh
  • First-generation foldables often get software fixes in the months after launch
  • An extended warranty or insurance plan matters more on a phone with a ₹1.5 lakh screen
  • Samsung’s book-style Galaxy Z Fold 8 costs less in India

Apple has not responded publicly to the creators’ criticism. We will update this story if it announces software fixes or price changes.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the iPhone Duo price in India?

It starts at ₹2,99,900 for 256 GB and goes up to ₹4,49,900 for 2 TB.

Why is the iPhone Duo costlier in India than in the US?

Early units are imported rather than assembled locally, and import duties and taxes push the price about ₹1.1 lakh above the US price.

How much does it cost to repair the iPhone Duo’s inner screen?

About ₹1,49,900, according to Apple’s India repair pricing reported by Esquire India.

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Written by
Prashant Chaudhari
Editor, Puneri Pages

Prashant Chaudhari is the founder and editor of Puneri Pages. Based in Pimpri-Chinchwad, he oversees the site’s editorial standards and fact-checking, and writes about Pune events, civic updates, business and technology.

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