Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is generating stronger-than-anticipated interest among Indian consumers ahead of its first day of sales, with industry analysts predicting that the device could reshape the ultra-premium smartphone market and boost the appeal of the company's wider iPhone portfolio.

Priced from Rs 2,99,900, the iPhone Duo is entering a segment dominated by high-end foldable devices. Despite its steep price tag, early consumer sentiment and channel feedback suggest considerable interest among affluent buyers looking for a distinctive smartphone experience.

Market research firm Counterpoint Research said the response since pre-orders opened had surpassed its initial projections, indicating that Apple's entry into the foldable category could attract a new group of premium smartphone customers.

"We did some consumer sentiment checks on Duo, and the initial expectations are almost three to four times higher than what we had anticipated," said Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research.

Pathak attributed the heightened interest partly to the device's distinctive design and the attention surrounding its pricing in India.

"So a lot of people are finding this form factor unique in a sense because the mindshare of the duo has been high, especially when it announces pricing and all for India," he added.

Analysts believe the iPhone Duo could also change how consumers perceive Apple's smartphone lineup, potentially establishing a new flagship category above the existing Pro models.

"But the initial buzz and expectation has been super high. I think it's the first time there will be a category of device that will create a halo effect for iPhones. We have never seen that happening because the pros were the top of the line," he noted.

The halo effect refers to the possibility that interest in a highly desirable flagship product could strengthen consumer perceptions of other devices within the same brand, even among buyers who do not purchase the flagship itself.

Pathak said the foldable device could generate this effect across Apple's smartphone portfolio, a role traditionally associated with the company's Pro models.

"We have never seen a category of device that creates a halo effect for iPhones because the Pro models were always the top of the line. This device has the potential to create a halo effect for Apple," he said.

However, the strong initial interest could also present challenges for availability, particularly during the first few weeks of sales.

Prabhu Ram, Head of the Industry Intelligence Group at CyberMedia Research (CMR), said preliminary checks across sales channels pointed to encouraging demand, although supply limitations could affect delivery timelines.

"Our early channel checks point to strong consumer interest and resilient demand for the iPhone Duo, with supply-chain constraints potentially extending wait times across online and retail channels," Ram said.

The possibility of longer waiting periods suggests that availability could become an important factor in determining the device's early sales performance.

Industry experts also believe Apple's relatively late entry into the foldable smartphone market could work in its favour, allowing the company to build on several generations of technological development already seen in competing devices.

Ram said Apple's strength in combining hardware, software and application optimisation could help address some of the usability challenges associated with foldable smartphones.

"Foldables are eight generations in, but Apple is poised to shape the pace and direction of the market's next phase. Deep hardware-software integration, complemented by intelligent app optimisation, could deliver a more seamless experience and strengthen mainstream adoption," Ram noted.