Samsung and Duolingo Roast Apple’s New iPhone Duo in Epic Social Media Battle

TLDR

• Apple introduced the iPhone Duo, its first foldable device, during a September 9 presentation with new CEO John Ternus
• The device boasts a 7.6-inch foldable screen with a $1,999 price tag
• Samsung wasted no time trolling Apple on X, posting “let us know when you’re done reheating our leftovers”
• Duolingo hijacked the conversation, quipping the device was “named after me” while highlighting their free app versus the $1,999 phone
• The online roast fest dominated headlines, eclipsing coverage of the actual device

When [[LINK_START_0]]Apple[[LINK_END_0]] unveiled its inaugural foldable phone on September 9, the company probably didn’t anticipate becoming the butt of jokes across social media.

During Apple’s yearly hardware showcase in Silicon Valley, new CEO John Ternus introduced the iPhone Duo. The flagship foldable packs a 7.6-inch screen, titanium frame, and carries a hefty $1,999 price point.

However, it was the product name that sparked the biggest reaction—particularly from two prominent companies eager to pile on.

Samsung Wastes No Time Throwing Shade

Samsung Mobile US didn’t wait long before launching a barrage of sarcastic posts on X. The Korean electronics giant, which released its Galaxy Fold in 2019, seized the opportunity to highlight Apple’s tardy arrival to the foldable arena.

“Let us know when you’re done reheating our leftovers,” Samsung’s account fired off.

The company didn’t stop there. Additional posts ridiculed the lack of innovation: “It’s feeling very familiar. Is this a Sims sequel?” Another quip read: “Not the bed side clock. It’s giving groundhog day.”

This aggressive social media strategy isn’t new territory for Samsung. The brand regularly takes shots at Apple when the Cupertino company enters markets where Samsung already has established presence.

Duolingo Delivers the Knockout Blow

Things escalated when Samsung dragged Duolingo into the fray. Posting with the hashtag “#Solidarity,” Samsung mockingly apologized to the language education platform, insinuating Apple had lifted the “Duo” name from Duolingo’s beloved green owl mascot.

Duolingo’s response was pure gold: “they named a phone after me and made it bend over.”

The language app then dropped a brutal comparison: “iPhone Duo: $1999. Duo on your iPhone: free.”

When addressing Samsung directly, Duolingo clapped back: “when an ugly stranger calls you twin, No Brand.”

The back-and-forth generated massive engagement online, completely diverting attention from Apple’s hardware announcement.

Market reactions were mixed: Duolingo’s stock dropped 4.88% that day, Apple shares declined 0.28%, and Samsung’s Korea-traded stock fell 0.19%.

As for the actual iPhone Duo, it features split-screen multitasking capabilities and employs a book-fold mechanism. Apple now enters a crowded foldable segment dominated by Samsung, Huawei, and various Android manufacturers.

Post-launch discussions centered overwhelmingly on the corporate trolling rather than technical specifications. In today’s digital landscape, major tech announcements have become battlegrounds where brands compete for viral moments through witty comebacks and rapid-fire social engagement.

Apple has remained silent regarding the naming controversy with Duolingo.

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