Apple’s iPhone Duo Launch Hijacked by Samsung and Duolingo’s Social Media Roast

TLDR

• Apple revealed the iPhone Duo, its inaugural foldable smartphone, during a September 9 presentation headed by newly appointed CEO John Ternus
• Priced at $1,999, the device boasts a 7.6-inch foldable screen
• Samsung’s social media team quickly trolled the announcement on X, writing “let us know when you’re done reheating our leftovers”
• Language app Duolingo jumped into the fray, quipping the device was “named after me” while highlighting their free app versus the phone’s hefty price tag
• The online roasting session went viral, completely stealing thunder from the actual hardware announcement

When [[LINK_START_0]]Apple[[LINK_END_0]] introduced its maiden foldable device on September 9, the tech giant probably didn’t anticipate the internet firestorm that would follow—particularly around its choice of branding.

The unveiling took place at Apple’s signature annual hardware showcase in Silicon Valley, with John Ternus, the company’s new chief executive, taking center stage. The iPhone Duo comes equipped with a 7.6-inch bendable screen, titanium frame, and a price point of $1,999.

However, it was the product’s moniker that triggered an unexpected online phenomenon, drawing sharp commentary from two prominent brands.

Samsung Launches Immediate Counterattack

Samsung Mobile US wasted no time responding to the reveal, unleashing a barrage of sarcastic posts on X immediately following the announcement. The electronics giant from South Korea, which debuted its Galaxy Fold five years earlier in 2019, didn’t hold back in highlighting Apple’s delayed entry into foldables.

“Let us know when you’re done reheating our leftovers,” the company’s account declared.

Additional jabs from Samsung targeted the derivative nature of the technology. One post quipped: “It’s feeling very familiar. Is this a Sims sequel?” Yet another teased: “Not the bed side clock. It’s giving groundhog day.”

This aggressive social media strategy isn’t new for Samsung. The brand has repeatedly leveraged these moments to mock Apple whenever the iPhone maker ventures into markets Samsung previously dominated.

Duolingo Emerges as Unexpected Star

Samsung escalated matters by dragging Duolingo into the discussion. Through a post marked with “#Solidarity,” Samsung offered mock sympathy to the educational platform, insinuating that Apple had appropriated the Duo moniker from Duolingo’s beloved green owl character, who shares that name.

Duolingo embraced the moment brilliantly. The language app fired back: “they named a phone after me and made it bend over.”

They continued with a pointed value proposition: “iPhone Duo: $1999. Duo on your iPhone: free.”

In response to Samsung’s solidarity message, Duolingo clapped back: “when an ugly stranger calls you twin, No Brand.”

The spirited back-and-forth generated massive engagement across platforms and effectively diverted attention from Apple’s hardware specifications and features.

Market reactions followed the social media drama. Duolingo’s stock price declined 4.88% that trading day, while Apple shares dropped a modest 0.28%. Samsung’s Korea-listed stock fell 0.19%.

The iPhone Duo itself brings multitasking capabilities and a book-fold design to Apple’s lineup. With this release, Apple enters a competitive foldable segment already populated by offerings from Samsung, Huawei, and numerous Android manufacturers.

Post-launch discussions online centered predominantly on the corporate comedy rather than technical specifications. Modern tech companies now routinely view major competitor launches as opportunities for viral marketing moments through quick-witted social responses.

Apple has remained silent regarding any naming conflict with Duolingo’s mascot.