Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market has triggered a wave of playful but pointed reactions from rival brands, with Samsung, Duolingo and Motorola turning the launch into a viral social-media exchange.
Apple unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on Wednesday, positioning the device as a major step forward in smartphone design.
Samsung, which introduced its first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold, in February 2019, was quick to respond. The company used social media to suggest that Apple was following a path Samsung had already established in the foldable-phone market.
Shortly after Apple’s announcement, Samsung Mobile US posted a message on X referencing the word “Duo” in Apple’s new phone name and jokingly expressing solidarity with language-learning platform Duolingo.
“I’m so sorry, Duolingo. They copied us too. Solidarity,” Samsung posted.
Duolingo joined in, responding with a humorous jab of its own: “When an ugly stranger calls you twin. No Brand.”
Samsung then fired back: “Ugly?? Watch your language.”
when an ugly stranger calls you twin 😂😭 No Brand 🙅♂️✋
— Duolingo (@duolingo) September 9, 2026
Keeping the exchange light-hearted, Duolingo replied, “Sorry twin, heat of the moment twin. Please don’t break my app on your phone’s twin.”
Read more: Apple launches iPhone Duo with foldable design, largest display
Samsung also took another swipe at Apple, posting: “Let us know when you’re done reheating our leftovers.”
The online banter soon expanded beyond Samsung and Duolingo. Motorola also joined the conversation with an Instagram post highlighting the evolution of its Razr foldable lineup.
The video moved through different generations of the iconic pink Razr before ending with a glimpse of the company’s newer foldable designs and a teaser for what it described as its next move.
“Some are just discovering it. We’ve been making it even better. Just wait for our next move,” Motorola wrote.
The exchange quickly gained traction online, with users sharing and commenting on the increasingly competitive brand-to-brand banter. While some found the posts entertaining, others poked fun at the companies themselves.
