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ivraatiemstoday at 6:21 PM21 repliesview on HN

$2,000 for a phone? Holy price point, Batman. No thanks.

I assume the people who would buy something like this have enough money not to care, and also would not care about the second part of my comment, because they want New Thing or use their phones enough for it to be useful.

I guess it might be the case that the only way to make the folding screen thing even remotely work is a very, very expensive manufacturing process. But as is often the case, I don't see how it's worth it?

I want my phones smaller and with Touch ID, not enormous and wrinkly.


Replies

swat535today at 7:34 PM

Most people don't buy their phones, they just finance it through the phone carrier as an "upgrade".

The phone carriers then upsells their more expensive plans.

raffael_detoday at 7:34 PM

to sell a phone for such a ridiculous price you need to make it as obvious as possible - a folded phone is pretty obvious - now people can buy it as a status symbol. what's the point of a status symbol if not everybody around you immediately recognizes the item as very expensive. there you go.

rootusrootustoday at 6:22 PM

> $2,000 for a phone? Holy price point, Batman. No thanks.

Isn't that basically in line with the competition? Cheaper, even, than some of the competition?

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apparenttoday at 6:36 PM

I might get one. I've been using a mini for years and am pretty much giving up on Apple ever making one again. The AI features finally seem worth an upgrade, and I don't love the size of the Air, standard iPhone, or Pro/Max models.

If I'm going to have to two-hand it, this is perhaps not the worst. Also, it might be more one-handable when closed than regular iPhones.

Is it very expensive? Yes, especially if you don't opt for the base storage (256 is not enough in the age of LLMs). But I've not upgraded in 5 years, so I've got budget to spare.

wombat-mantoday at 7:17 PM

I try and usually succeed at using my phones for around 3 years, so it's not out of the question. Still have another year on my current one, I'll check out the next duo next year.

nozzlegeartoday at 6:29 PM

> $2,000 for a phone?

> I assume the people who would buy something like this have enough money not to care, and also would not care about the second part of my comment, because they want New Thing or use their phones enough for it to be useful.

But what's the monthly price with Apple's upgrade program? I'd bet that's how most people will be buying it (me included, if I decide to get one).

simonebrunozzitoday at 6:39 PM

You remind me of the (in)famous comment by Steve Ballmer when the iPhone was first introduced .

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spike021today at 6:29 PM

they're definitely hoping the people who can't afford it simply lease it like an expensive car.

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nine_ktoday at 6:53 PM

Few pay it directly. It's paid in installments, subsidized by the carrier, traded-in for for an old but still okay phone, etc.

And those who want to boast, can of course buy for the full price. This is a non-zero share of the target market.

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vulktoday at 6:40 PM

I am with you on this one, probably sales charts are up for foldable phones but I am not sure those people are reading the room correct. We want smaller devices more tactile if we wanted ipads we would get ipads.

deractoday at 6:31 PM

It's not a phone, it's a status symbol fashion object.

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r0fltoday at 6:37 PM

5 different people messaged me today saying they are pre ordering a duo

None of those people have ever messaged me about any other phone event ever

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kimostoday at 6:58 PM

In Canada they range from $3000-$4800. Absolutely bonkers prices.

3pmtoday at 6:42 PM

$700 premium for Duo compared to iPhone Pro Max 18. Exactly the price of iPad mini 256GB.

iknowstufftoday at 6:37 PM

I don’t see the problem with the pricing. It’s the most used gadget and its an iphone and ipad in one.

4dd3today at 6:29 PM

I'd imagine its targeted in particular at producers - e.g. content producers.

There's enough buyers in the market.

Apocryphontoday at 6:23 PM

It has Touch ID

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retubetoday at 6:26 PM

according to the blurb you can lease it $60/month

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octerniontoday at 6:33 PM

i love that we get these comments, even 20 years later. the phone costs what many (most? even?) folks on HN make in a day, after taxes.

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Machado117today at 6:34 PM

It’s $2250+tax for europoors

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dyauspitrtoday at 6:37 PM

Honestly, that doesn’t seem all that crazy. I was actually expecting it to be closer to $3k

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