Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, officially reached customers in Vietnam at 8 a.m. on October 23, with authorized retailers holding launch events and handing over preordered devices.

Early buyers, including celebrities and technology enthusiasts, said their main motivation was to experience Apple's new foldable design rather than consider its price.

Hundreds gather for iPhone Duo launch

At TopZone, the Apple-focused retail chain operated by Mobile World, approximately 200 VIP customers arrived early at the store at 181 Ham Nghi Street to collect their preordered iPhone Duo devices.

Many were eager to become among the first Vietnamese customers to own Apple's foldable smartphone.

Doan Van Hieu Em, General Director of electronics retailer Dien May Xanh, described the iPhone Duo as another historic milestone for Apple.

He compared its introduction to the launch of the original iPhone and the arrival of the iPhone X, which introduced Face ID to Apple's smartphone lineup.

According to Hieu Em, the company's entry into the foldable smartphone segment represents a significant design shift that could help accelerate growth in the broader foldable phone market.

He said TopZone expected to deliver 1,800 preordered iPhone Duo units to customers across its retail network on October 23.

Additional deliveries would follow as new stock became available.

Among the first customers collecting their devices was Tuan, who said he purchased the iPhone Duo primarily to experience Apple's latest product.

Another customer, Thi, said she was attracted by the opportunity to try something new from Apple and hoped the device would prove useful in her work.

For these buyers, the appeal extended beyond the technical specifications to the experience of using a completely new iPhone design.

Customers impressed by Apple's foldable design

A similar atmosphere was reported at Minh Tuan Mobile, where customers gathered to collect their new devices.

Nguyen Minh Tuan, founder of the retail chain, described Apple's foldable design as a historic turning point for the iPhone.

He said customer response had been encouraging, with many buyers expressing surprise and excitement when opening the packaging and seeing the device for the first time.

Ha Phuong, one of the earliest customers to receive an iPhone Duo at the chain, said her purchasing decision was straightforward: she found the phone exceptionally attractive.

Vietnamese film actor POM also collected an iPhone Duo at Minh Tuan Mobile.

He said he wanted to experience Apple's latest product, particularly because he enjoys gaming and working on an iPad.

With the iPhone Duo, he hopes to bring some of the large-screen experience he enjoys on a tablet to a smartphone.

The foldable design could offer additional flexibility for activities such as entertainment, gaming and work, while retaining the portability of a phone.

Beauty queens Ky Duyen and Thien An join early buyers

The launch event at Di Dong Viet attracted attention with the appearance of Vietnamese beauty queens Ky Duyen and Thien An.

Both attended to collect and experience Apple's new foldable smartphone as early as possible.

The two appeared excited as they unboxed the devices and held Apple's first foldable iPhone.

Their enthusiasm reflected a broader trend among the first wave of buyers, many of whom identified themselves as longtime Apple fans.

From Ky Duyen and Thien An to actor POM and other customers, early adopters said they were primarily interested in discovering how Apple's foldable technology would perform in everyday use.

Although the initial excitement centered on the new design, buyers also expressed hopes that the device would deliver a satisfying experience over the longer term.

Apple fans prioritize experience over price

Hai Dang, another customer at Di Dong Viet, said he had previously used an Android foldable smartphone but found the experience uncomfortable, particularly when using applications.

He hopes the iPhone Duo will offer a smoother and more convenient experience.

Dang said he expects the new foldable to become his primary smartphone in the coming months.

His comments illustrate how some customers are approaching Apple's entry into the foldable market: not simply as an opportunity to own a new device, but as a chance to see whether Apple can improve on experiences they have already had with competing products.

Despite the iPhone Duo's high price, most of the early buyers interviewed said cost was not their main consideration.

Instead, they were willing to pay a premium to explore Apple's new design, experience its larger display and assess how well the device fits their personal and professional needs.

The enthusiasm surrounding the first deliveries suggests that Apple's foldable iPhone has attracted a segment of Vietnamese consumers who place particular value on innovation, brand loyalty and the experience of owning a newly launched product.

Whether that early excitement translates into sustained demand will depend on how the iPhone Duo performs during everyday use.

Le My