TLDR
- Apple revealed the iPhone Duo, its debut foldable device, during a September 9 presentation with new CEO John Ternus at the helm
- Featuring a 7.6-inch foldable screen, the iPhone Duo carries a $1,999 price tag
- Samsung swiftly trolled the announcement on X, telling Apple to notify them “when you’re done reheating our leftovers”
- Duolingo jumped into the fray, claiming the device was “named after me” while highlighting their free app versus the phone’s steep cost
- The online banter eclipsed the hardware announcement itself, going massively viral
When [[LINK_START_0]]Apple[[LINK_END_0]] introduced its inaugural foldable phone on September 9, the tech world respondedābut not quite how Cupertino expected.
The iPhone Duo was unveiled during Apple’s signature September hardware showcase in Silicon Valley, with newly appointed CEO John Ternus leading the presentation. Sporting a 7.6-inch bendable screen, titanium frame, and a $1,999 entry price, the device marked Apple’s foray into folding technology.
However, it was the product name that triggered unexpected reactions, particularly from two prominent companies.
Samsung Launches Immediate Attack
Almost instantly after Apple’s reveal, Samsung Mobile US unleashed a barrage of sarcastic posts on X. The Galaxy maker, having introduced the Galaxy Fold five years earlier in 2019, wasted no time highlighting Apple’s tardiness to the foldable arena.
“Let us know when you’re done reheating our leftovers,” Samsung’s account declared.
Additional jabs from Samsung targeted the derivative nature of Apple’s entry. “It’s feeling very familiar. Is this a Sims sequel?” one tweet questioned. Another quipped: “Not the bed side clock. It’s giving groundhog day.”
This aggressive social media strategy isn’t new territory for Samsung. The electronics giant routinely targets Apple online whenever the iPhone maker ventures into markets Samsung established earlier.
Duolingo Becomes Unexpected Star
Samsung escalated matters by dragging Duolingo into the discourse. Using a “#Solidarity” hashtag, Samsung offered a mock apology to the education platform, insinuating Apple had borrowed the Duo moniker from Duolingo’s beloved green owl character, who shares the same name.
Duolingo embraced the chaos enthusiastically. The brand fired back: “they named a phone after me and made it bend over.”
Another post drove home the value proposition: “iPhone Duo: $1999. Duo on your iPhone: free.”
Duolingo even clapped back at Samsung, posting: “when an ugly stranger calls you twin, No Brand.”
The viral thread generated enormous engagement and effectively diverted focus from Apple’s technological announcement.
Market reactions followed: Duolingo’s stock dropped 4.88% that trading day, while Apple shares declined a modest 0.28%. Samsung’s Korea-listed stock fell 0.19%.
The device itself boasts advanced multitasking capabilities and utilizes a book-style folding mechanism. Apple enters a competitive landscape already populated by foldable offerings from Samsung, Huawei, and numerous Android manufacturers.
Post-launch discourse centered predominantly on corporate social media warfare rather than technical specifications. Major technology announcements have evolved into opportunities for brands to capture viral moments through wit and rapid-fire online engagement.
Apple hasn’t issued any official statement regarding the naming similarity with Duolingo’s mascot.
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