Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo enters Indian politics as BJP, Congress turn its design into meme weapon

Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has found an unexpected place in Indian politics, with the BJP and Congress borrowing the newly launched device’s two-screen design for social-media memes attacking each other over political leadership, governance and past controversies.

The exchange began soon after Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo at its “Surprise and Shine” event in Cupertino on Wednesday. While the foldable phone’s starting price of Rs 2,99,900 triggered a wave of jokes among Indian social-media users, political parties quickly adapted its distinctive folding format for their own messaging.

Congress takes first swipe

The Congress used the iPhone Duo template to target the BJP, sharing a graphic that juxtaposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump. The Opposition party used the foldable format to revive its criticism of the relationship between the two leaders and question the outcome of New Delhi’s engagement with Washington.

The BJP responded with its own version of the meme, turning the same visual format against Congress and targeting Rahul Gandhi. The ruling party sought to contrast Gandhi’s political messaging with what it described as the Congress leader’s record and positions on major issues.

The exchange became the latest example of political parties rapidly appropriating viral internet trends to reach social-media audiences. Campaigns and party handles increasingly use memes, film references, sporting moments and popular technology launches to package political criticism in formats designed for quick circulation.

Apple’s foldable provided particularly convenient material because its two-panel form allowed parties to place rival political personalities or competing claims side by side.

Rs 2.99 lakh price sparks memes

The political exchange unfolded amid a much broader online reaction to the iPhone Duo itself. Apple’s entry-level 256GB model has been priced at Rs 2,99,900 in India, while higher-storage variants cost substantially more. The steep price prompted users to compare the device with motorcycles, second-hand cars, gold, annual rent and even combinations of several other Apple products.

The launch marks Apple’s first entry into the foldable smartphone category, years after competitors including Samsung began selling devices with folding displays. The iPhone Duo features an outer display and a larger flexible screen when opened, with Apple positioning the device as a premium product combining smartphone portability with additional screen space.

Its arrival has consequently produced two parallel conversations in India — one about the price and technology of Apple’s long-awaited foldable and another, increasingly familiar one, about how quickly virtually any major cultural or consumer moment can become ammunition in the country’s political contest.

For the BJP and Congress, the iPhone Duo lasted barely a day as a technology story before becoming another template in their continuing social-media battle.