A Chinese podcast · Same story, 4 levels
iPhone Duo 起价1999美元，10月23日开卖
iPhone Duo Starts at $1,999; On Sale Oct 23
About this story
Apple made iPhone Duo official. Its $1,999 starting price, two displays, and October 23 release frame the real purchase decision. HSK 5-6 Chinese listening practice.
This is an HSK 5-6 Chinese listening episode that runs about 2 minutes. The full Mandarin script is shown with tap-for-pinyin and a line-by-line English translation, so you can listen and read at once — comprehensible input in the sense of Stephen Krashen's i+1 theory. It teaches 12 key vocabulary words such as 正式、消费、设备 and walks through 2 grammar patterns, each explained in English with examples. The same news story is retold at 4 difficulty levels — use the level selector above to find the version that is challenging but still understandable for you.
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原文Read the complete story in Chinese. Reveal pinyin and English only when you need them.
English transcript reference
On September 9, Apple officially announced its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, with a starting price of $1,999, making consumers start doing the math: once the phone is opened, how much is the extra screen worth?
The September 9 launch gave a verifiable answer to months of speculation: this phone has a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner screen when unfolded.
When closed, it is like an ordinary phone; when unfolded, the large screen leaves more space for reading and watching videos.
"One device, two screens" sounds convenient, but the cost is close to two thousand dollars.
The price has been announced, and the sales date is set too, so people can calculate whether this large screen is worth it.
According to Apple's arrangement, pre-orders open on October 16, and official sales begin on October 23, covering more than 70 countries and regions, including China.
Therefore, it can be discussed now, but durability or real-world experience still cannot be judged based on long-term use by real users.
For people who want a large screen but do not want to carry a second device, the iPhone Duo offers a choice: use the small screen when closed, and the large screen when opened.
People who only use ordinary phones will probably pause for a moment when they see the price tag.
In early September, people could only guess the name and specs; now they can ask more specifically: is a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner screen worth $1,999?
Only after it goes on sale in October and consumers get the phone can they give their own answer.
Listen again
Try it without the transcript and notice what sounds clearer.
What vocabulary does this episode teach?
词汇Apple has now made the announcement official.
Appears in 消费者, consumers evaluating the price.
A second device some buyers may avoid carrying.
Apple publicly introduced the phone.
The promise of two screen sizes.
The question behind the purchase decision.
The physical design of the new phone.
The smaller outside display.
The larger inside display.
Orders begin October 16.
Long-term durability remains untested by owners.
The base US price is $1,999.
* beyond level超纲词
What grammar patterns appear in this episode?
语法Frames a point from a buyer group’s perspective.
对想要大屏幕、又不想随身带第二台设备的人来说，iPhone Duo 提供了一个选择：关上用小屏幕，打开用大屏幕。
……后，才……
Says one event must happen before another can be judged.
十月上市后，消费者拿到手机，才能给出自己的答案。
Proper Nouns
专有名词Sources
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