Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
Apple's latest iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale in Vietnam on September 18.
Notably, the vast majority of Vietnamese buyers have opted primarily for the Burgundy Red and Ice Blue versions of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, leaving the two colors in short supply.
Other color options for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, meanwhile, remain readily available to meet demand.
The uneven demand and sales distribution across Apple's latest iPhone lineup have led several industry experts to suggest that Vietnamese consumers are hesitating over their purchases.
They believe many buyers appear to be waiting to experience the iPhone Duo before deciding whether to spend money on an iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Quan Huynh, owner of Huynh Nguyen Store, which specializes in Apple products and technology devices, said iPhone 18 Pro Max sales indicate that consumers are increasingly inclined to wait for the iPhone Duo.
In reality, the iPhone 18 Pro Max does not offer many significant upgrades over the iPhone 17 Pro Max, apart from new colors and a variable-aperture camera, he said. As a result, users see little reason to rush into an upgrade.
The iPhone Duo, however, is a different story.
As Apple's first foldable phone, it has sparked curiosity among iPhone enthusiasts, particularly because of its entirely new screen aspect ratio.
Huynh said that after years of increasingly familiar designs, Apple's introduction of something new is making consumers eager to experience the product, much as they did when the original iPhone 2G was first unveiled.
And despite its high price, he said, many consumers are willing to spend the money to explore Apple's new foldable iPhone.
Nguyen Tuan Thanh, owner of Thanh Store, which specializes in iPhones and other Apple devices in Ho Chi Minh City, shared a similar view.
Based on sales of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Thanh said many consumers still appear to be waiting for the iPhone Duo.
According to Thanh, Apple's new foldable iPhone is completely different from previous generations, making it a highly anticipated product.
Interest is expected to extend beyond Apple enthusiasts to people who already use Samsung foldable phones. They want to see whether the iPhone Duo can differentiate itself and offer a better user experience.
That curiosity is leading many consumers to wait until they can experience the iPhone Duo before deciding whether upgrading to the iPhone 18 Pro Max is worthwhile.
However, the new foldable iPhone's "far from cheap" price will also put it beyond the reach of some consumers.
Nguyen Viet Hoang, an iPhone enthusiast, said he is in no hurry to replace his iPhone 17 Pro Max with an iPhone 18 Pro Max because he wants to wait for the iPhone Duo.
"I want to experience the iPhone Duo and see whether it can offer any major differences compared with the other foldable phones currently on the market. If it impresses me, I'll be willing to spend the money on it, because Apple's iPhone designs have become increasingly boring over the years and are no longer as appealing to iPhone enthusiasts as they once were," Hoang said.
Apple-authorized retail chains in Vietnam will begin taking orders for the iPhone Duo on October 16, with deliveries to customers expected to start on October 23.
Le My
.svg){kind=icon}
