iPhone Duo is an interesting device. It’s not quite a passport like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, but it does have an odd shape that resembles a capital letter “D”; but that’s not where the word “Duo” comes from, and is instead a seamless collaboration between two displays. (However, this must mean Dean.)
Duet displays
The Duo looks great, and I love that Apple approached its device very differently than Samsung. It doesn’t feel sharp in the hand at all and lacks the perfect boxy aesthetic. However, the device is still pleasant to hold; somehow it didn’t even feel like a new device, but it felt like I was at home. I think this is due to the fact that I was using an iPhone Air, another iPhone of the same thickness (when the iPhone Duo is unfolded). That said, when folded, the iPhone Duo is significantly thicker than some other foldable phones on the market, but the titanium frame and hinge cover, as well as Ceramic Shield 2 on the front and Ceramic Shield on the back, mean the device still feels premium.
It’s strange, but the weight distribution, the size, the thickness/thickness, the durability – the Duo feels like an iPhone. It’s like it’s a new device, so it should feel a little different, but Apple has done a good job of making the phone look familiar. And I think this was intentional because it lowers the barrier of entry from a regular flat phone to a foldable one.
And the crease says it all. The iPhone Duo features a nano-texture display that has a matte appearance and reduces glare. This is really cool because it makes it harder to see the crease if you hold it at different angles. Trust me, it’s still here; I pressed the display hard enough to feel it, and you can see it from some angles, but it’s really impressive. If we’re talking about folds among all the foldable phones, this one might be the best. I really want to put it next to the Z Fold 8 to really tell the story, but based on first impressions, this fold is worth a look.
It’s worth noting that I’m right-handed, so I really liked the Duo with the D shape, but I’m wondering if lefties would have problems.
Duet experience
The Duo software is quite interesting. From the dynamic island in the top right corner that changes based on different actions, to the side-mounted dock that’s easy to reach when folded or unfolded, to the seamless transition from folded to unfolded, the iPhone Duo is pretty cool. Apple makes multitasking collaboration incredibly easy; I was shown a demo of someone dragging a photo from the gallery directly into the Messages app. Or, if you have Chrome open on the left and you tap an address, the Maps app will open on the right with the address and ready for you to tap Directions.
When you’re viewing content, turn your phone vertically and open the Messages app to view the video in the correct aspect ratio, with the Messages app occupying the bottom of the screen. It won’t be half and half because iOS maintains the aspect ratio of what you’re looking at at the top, which is impressive and makes a lot of sense.
there are many challenges ahead
And all this happens while the internal camera remains almost invisible thanks to under-display shooting technology – well, it’s harder to see, but in the right light or angle it’s definitely still there. This technology has been used on many previous Samsung foldable devices, and pictures with the 4MP camera weren’t always amazing. Apple hasn’t specified details about this camera, but says it matches the 12MP camera on the front, so we’ll have to check that for ourselves when review models become available.
Speaking of cameras, the iPhone Duo has two 48-megapixel cameras: the main one has an f/1.6 aperture, and the ultra-wide-angle one has an f/2.2 aperture and a 120-degree field of view. The same thing happens with the new iPhone 18 Pro Max, which is impressive. The 48 MP camera also supports 2x zoom. I haven’t tested the camera at all, but I’m looking forward to seeing what it has to offer.
Speaking of things I need to get past, I also need to question the Apple Silicon A20 Pro, given that Apple claims it offers 20 percent faster performance than the 17 Pro Max. It features an advanced thermal system that helps combat heat and also offers up to 24 hours of battery life when using both displays. I need to really try this out and see if Apple can deliver on these promises, especially when it comes to gaming sessions – I’ve been really into mobile gaming lately.
3 thousand dollars 🤯
I’m excited about the iPhone Duo; it offers a lot that other foldable devices lack. IP68 water and dust resistance, titanium hinge, nano-texture display, stylus support, up to 2TB built-in memory and ceramic shielding. The titanium hinge and ceramic coating alone make the phone as durable as the iPhone Air (and that device can withstand serious drops). And compared to the Z Fold 8, which looks like it’ll break easily (but it doesn’t), the Duo feels as durable as the technology sounds. Only foldable Pixel devices have IP68 water and dust resistance, and now this one too. And stylus support for foldable devices is sparse. Additionally, iOS seems specifically designed to take advantage of both displays.
I’m not calling it the best foldable device yet without testing it out, but it’s definitely something I’m keeping an eye on. And for this price it should be at the highest level. The iPhone Duo starts at $2,999 CAD, making it the most expensive smartphone on the Canadian market, so it better be pretty stellar.
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