Don’t mistake Cook’s praise for a mere compliment. The iPhone Duo, Apple’s most expensive phone to date, sold out immediately upon its launch, with prices starting at $1,999 and the top-tier model exceeding $3,000. In an interview, Cook remarked, “The iPhone Duo is exclusively manufactured in China, and China’s foldable screen market is also unparalleled on a global scale.”

Sounds motivating, right? But let me temper that enthusiasm. Apple is entrusting its most premium production entirely to China, not out of an abundance of affection for the country, but because no other nation can currently meet its demands. The underlying message of “exclusive manufacturing” is essentially: “There’s no other option.” While many interpret this as Apple showing confidence in China’s supply chain, it’s important to remember that Apple’s supply chain strategy has always been about diversification, with significant production capacity allocated to both China and India over the long term.

Why is a high-end, high-volume phone like the iPhone Duo entirely produced in China? Because only Foxconn and Luxshare Precision possess the capabilities to handle such intricate manufacturing. The hinges for the iPhone Duo are supplied by domestic precision manufacturing firms, and in the lamination and assembly of foldable screens, the domestic supply chain has taken the lead. This means that, in the realm of foldable screens, Chinese manufacturing currently stands unchallenged.

Apple’s “exclusive manufacturing” is, in essence, a pragmatic compromise driven by necessity. However, don’t get carried away just yet. In the screen segment, BOE has yet to pass Apple’s stringent verification for foldable screens, with core panels still dominated by Samsung Display and LG Display. Key materials like UTG ultra-thin flexible glass also rely on imports. Chinese factories handle the most precise assembly work, earning their keep through hard work, while the most lucrative profits from display panels remain in the hands of South Korean manufacturers.

Controversy: How much of the leading market can Apple actually capture? Cook claims that China’s foldable screen market is “unparalleled,” which is accurate in terms of data. By 2025, China’s foldable smartphone shipments are projected to reach around 10 million units, accounting for nearly half of the global market. However, for Apple, these four words, “unparalleled,” carry both sweetness and poison.

Consider China’s foldable screen market share as of Week 41 this year (2026): Huawei holds 72.7%, Honor 6.9%, Samsung 6.7%, vivo 6.1%, OPPO 4.0%, and Xiaomi 3.1%. Huawei alone commands over 70% of the market, and in the ultra-premium foldable market above RMB 10,000, Huawei’s share even reaches 85%. Apple is entering with the $1,999 iPhone Duo, aiming precisely for this most lucrative segment.

When Cook praises China’s foldable screen market as “unparalleled,” the subtext is that “high-end users here are most willing to spend.” However, Huawei has already established a formidable presence in the high-end foldable screen market, offering a comprehensive product lineup that includes triple folds, wide folds, and both horizontal and vertical folds. Relying solely on one iPhone Duo model, Apple will find it no easy feat to dislodge Huawei’s stronghold.

Forecast: Exclusivity is fleeting; the supply chain game has only just begun. In the short term, Apple is unlikely to transfer iPhone Duo production capacity to India, nor will Indian-made versions enter the Chinese market. This represents a window of opportunity for China’s supply chain in the foldable screen era. However, this window won’t remain open indefinitely. Apple’s typical strategy is to introduce new technologies in China first, then gradually disperse production capacity to other countries once yield rates improve and processes mature.

The role of Chinese factories will evolve from “exclusive manufacturing” to “core manufacturing” and eventually to “one of the important manufacturers.” For the domestic supply chain, this wave of orders is a tangible benefit. However, the real challenge lies not in assembly but in seizing this opportunity to boost the localization rates of core components like hinges, UTG glass, and flexible screens.

Cook praises Chinese manufacturing because it truly delivers results. But after the praise, Apple will inevitably look for the next capable partner. What China’s supply chain must do is make Apple unable to leave, rather than just earning a pat on the back from Cook. Do you think the iPhone Duo can help Apple carve out a niche in China’s foldable screen market? Let’s discuss in the comments. #Mao Qiying AI Circle #iPhoneDuo #Cook #MadeInChina #FoldableScreen