Apple enters a crowded foldable smartphone market in China – can it beat Huawei? - South China Morning Post

Coco Fengin GuangdongandMinxiao Changin ShenzhenPublished: 3:13pm, 10 Sep 2026Apple’s long-awaited entry into the foldable smartphone market, the iPhone Duo, has drawn immediate attention in China over its eye-watering price tag and exclusive dual-eSIM design, as the American tech giant targets entrenched domestic rivals Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi.

Despite the positive initial reception, however, some argued adoption in China could hit a wall over connectivity issues.

Tech and gaming commentator Wang Weichen, who has 1.3 million followers on Weibo, applauded the model’s “user-friendly interface”, but said the lack of a physical SIM tray could “turn away a lot of buyers”.

Unlike many international markets where digital eSIM profiles can be transferred seamlessly online, carriers in mainland China enforce strict real-name user registration. Activating or migrating an eSIM requires consumers to complete time-consuming in-person identity checks at bricks-and-mortar stores.