[Research Article] Apple Duo house of brands challenges and comparisons with Samsung Galaxy Fold
This research article examines the brand management strategies of Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics in the emerging foldable smartphone category, with particular focus on Apple's forthcoming "iPhone Duo" and Samsung's established Galaxy Fold/Z Fold line. Through the lens of brand architecture theory, the study analyses how Apple's Branded House structure and Samsung's distinct Galaxy sub-brand architecture shape their respective approaches to foldable technology. The article traces the historical evolution of both companies' brand strategies, evaluates Samsung's decade-long brand-building success in foldables, identifies the strategic challenges facing Apple's Duo positioning, and projects the competitive brand dynamics through 2026 and beyond. The analysis reveals a fundamental tension: Samsung has invested seven years in educating the market and establishing category ownership, while Apple enters with a strategy that reframes the foldable not ...