TLDR
- Apple unveiled its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, at a September 9 event led by new CEO John Ternus
- The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch display and is priced at $1,999
- Samsung immediately mocked Apple on X, saying “let us know when you’re done reheating our leftovers”
- Duolingo joined in, joking the phone was “named after me” and costs $1,999 versus their free app
- The social media exchange went viral, overshadowing the actual product launch
Apple launched its first foldable smartphone on September 9, and the internet had plenty to say about the name.
what an exciting Apple event! i sure hope my brand doesn’t get infringed upon 💚
— Duolingo (@duolingo) September 9, 2026
The iPhone Duo made its debut at Apple’s annual hardware event in Silicon Valley, hosted by new CEO John Ternus. The device features a 7.6-inch foldable display, titanium construction, and a starting price of $1,999.
But the name caught people off guard, especially two well-known brands.
Samsung Comes Out Swinging
Within minutes of the announcement, Samsung Mobile US began posting a string of mocking comments on X. The South Korean company, which launched the Galaxy Fold back in 2019, was quick to point out that Apple was late to the foldable market.
I'm so sorry, @DuoLingo. They copied us too #Solidarity
— Samsung Mobile US (@SamsungMobileUS) September 9, 2026
“Let us know when you’re done reheating our leftovers,” Samsung posted.
Other posts from Samsung took aim at the familiarity of the concept. “It’s feeling very familiar. Is this a Sims sequel?” read one. Another joked: “Not the bed side clock. It’s giving groundhog day.”
Samsung has used this playbook before. The company has a history of calling out Apple on social media whenever Apple enters a product category that Samsung helped pioneer.
Duolingo Steals the Show
Samsung then brought Duolingo into the conversation. In a post tagged with “#Solidarity,” Samsung apologised to the language-learning app, suggesting Apple had copied the Duo name from Duolingo’s famous green owl mascot, also named Duo.
Duolingo ran with it. The company posted: “they named a phone after me and made it bend over.”
The app followed up with a direct price comparison: “iPhone Duo: $1999. Duo on your iPhone: free.”
Duolingo also responded to Samsung directly, posting: “when an ugly stranger calls you twin, No Brand.”
The exchange racked up wide engagement and pulled attention away from Apple’s actual product reveal.
Duolingo’s stock fell 4.88% on the day, while Apple shares dipped 0.28%. Samsung’s Korean-listed shares slipped 0.19%.
The real product itself includes multitasking features and a book-style fold design. Apple is now competing in a foldable market that already includes devices from Samsung, Huawei, and other Android makers.
The online conversation following the launch focused more on the brand banter than the hardware. Companies increasingly treat major tech launches as chances to grab attention through humour and fast social media responses.
Apple has not publicly commented on the name overlap with Duolingo.
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