Apple iPhone Duo triggers social media frenzy: Samsung trolls, Duolingo joins in as ₹2.99 lakh price fuels memes

Apple’s first foldable iPhone has become the centre of a fast-moving social media conversation, with the iPhone Duo drawing a mix of excitement, scepticism and price-related memes after its launch at the company’s “Surprise and Shine” event. The device, which starts at ₹2,99,900 in India and goes up to ₹4,49,900 for the 2TB variant, has also reignited Apple’s long-running social media rivalry with Samsung.

The iPhone Duo quickly emerged as one of the top trending topics on X in India following the launch, alongside Apple, Samsung and other keywords linked to the event. While many users discussed the foldable’s 7.6-inch inner display, thin design and multitasking capabilities, the price became one of the biggest drivers of the online conversation.

Samsung wastes little time trolling Apple

Samsung was among the first major brands to react, using X to remind users of its long head start in the foldable segment. Samsung has been selling foldable smartphones since 2019, while Apple has only now entered the category.

Samsung Mobile US posted: “Let us know when you're done reheating our leftovers 😉” on X after Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo.

The company had already been taking jabs at Apple during the event, including a post referencing its three-panel foldable technology: “Making us wait? Fine. We’ll be over here, folding 3 ways.”

Samsung also took a swipe at Apple’s use of the name Duo after Duolingo joined the conversation.

Duolingo turns the ‘Duo’ name into a joke

Duolingo, whose green owl mascot is also called Duo, quickly claimed a place in the conversation. Its official X account posted: “They named a phone after me and made it bend over.”

Samsung then replied directly to Duolingo: “I’m so sorry, @DuoLingo. They copied us too #Solidarity”. Duolingo subsequently responded with another meme-driven post aimed at Samsung.

The exchange gave the launch a second layer of social media traction beyond the usual Apple-Samsung rivalry, with the name “Duo” becoming a talking point in its own right.

₹2.99 lakh price brings back the kidney jokes

In India, however, the most persistent theme has been the price. At nearly ₹3 lakh for the entry-level model, the iPhone Duo has revived the familiar “sell your kidney” genre of Apple-launch memes, alongside comparisons with motorcycles, cars, gold and other big-ticket purchases.

One X user, Atul Khatri (@one_by_two), summed up the price reaction with: “It’s called iPhone Duo because to buy it – you will have to sell both your kidney as well as liver”.

Other users have questioned the device’s form factor rather than just its price. X user @Stammy wrote: “iphone duo seems way too wide folded. this is an ipad mini.”

That scepticism is also visible in broader online discussions, with some users arguing that the Duo is compelling as a technology showcase but difficult to justify for the average consumer at its price. Others have pointed out that buyers do not necessarily need to upgrade immediately and that the premium pricing is aimed at a much narrower audience.

The social media reaction therefore goes beyond simple excitement or criticism. Apple has succeeded in making its entry into foldables a major talking point, while Samsung has used the moment to reinforce its first-mover advantage. For Indian consumers, however, the biggest question remains considerably simpler: is Apple’s first foldable worth ₹2,99,900?