Google believes Apple's upcoming iPhone Duo validates the foldable smartphone category that Android brands have spent years building. Android president Sameer Samat told Tom's Guide that Apple's arrival could create a halo effect, increasing consumer interest in Android foldables as well. Counterpoint estimates Apple could capture around 25% of the foldable market within a year of launch. Samat, who personally uses the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, praised multitasking on foldables and noted that Android often introduces consumers to new technologies first.

Rather than viewing the iPhone Duo as a threat, Google sees it as a long-awaited endorsement of the form factor. A larger foldable market would push developers to properly optimize apps for bigger displays — an area where Apple currently holds an advantage, having showcased apps like Netflix and Slack properly optimized for the iPhone Duo. Samat believes Apple's entry will incentivize developers to invest more in foldable-optimized Android apps, with some already in active development.