Samsung claimed that Apple copied its technology following the official reveal of the new foldable iPhone Duo during an Apple event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, on September 9, 2026.
The South Korean technology giant responded with irony to a social media post published by language-learning platform Duolingo on the day of the announcement, stating that Apple had copied them as well. Samsung recalled that it has been developing foldable smartphones for several years ahead of Apple's entry into the flexible display market.
Samsung reaction to iPhone Duo launch
The public statement from Samsung coincided with Apple's product showcase in California, where the iPhone Duo made its initial public appearance. Responding directly to Duolingo, Samsung highlighted its history in flexible screen development, reminding consumers and industry observers that it had established the folding phone concept years prior to Apple launching a comparable model. The comment drew attention to the ongoing rivalry between the world's leading smartphone manufacturers during major product announcements.
Foldable technology and corporate background
Samsung is a South Korean multinational electronics manufacturer headquartered in Suwon, South Korea, that pioneered commercially available foldable display devices. Apple Inc. is an American technology corporation based in Cupertino, California, that designs and produces consumer hardware, including the iPhone line. The Steve Jobs Theater, situated within the Apple Park corporate campus in Silicon Valley, is a dedicated event venue named in honor of Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs. Duolingo is a Pittsburgh-based educational technology company known for its language-learning software.
The display of the new iPhone Duo on September 9 marks Apple's initial step into the foldable device space. Foldable smartphones feature flexible screens and hinge mechanisms that allow a mobile device to fold in half, combining compact portability with larger display sizes. Samsung has produced multiple generations of folding smartphones, establishing the standard form factors currently used across the mobile phone industry.
