Apple Enters the Foldable Market with iPhone Duo

For the first time, consumers can buy a foldable phone that runs iOS, ending the era where the category was exclusively defined by Android devices. According to a hands-on review published in GN technics/mobile (en-US), the new iPhone Duo carries a price tag of $2,000, placing it in direct competition with high-end models from Samsung, Motorola, and Google. This price point reflects the continued premium nature of the form factor, which remains significantly more expensive than standard rectangular smartphones despite improvements in durability and usability over the last decade.

The device adopts a familiar passport-style design, featuring rounded corners that improve grip comfort. It houses a 5.4-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch main interior screen, which is slightly smaller than an iPad mini. Both screens share a 1.4:1 aspect ratio, a shape optimized for scrolling social media feeds, streaming video, and reading ebooks. Users can switch between portrait and landscape orientations when the device is unfolded, offering flexibility for different content types.

Seamless Screen Handoff Improves Workflow

One of the most noticeable advantages of the iPhone Duo is the fluidity with which it manages content between its two displays. When opening the phone, apps such as Messages, Maps, and Netflix transition from the smaller outer screen to the larger inner screen without any perceptible delay. Reviewers noted that while competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 offer similar functionality, their implementation often suffers from a noticeable lag. The iPhone Duo handles this handoff instantaneously, even incorporating a subtle animation that enhances the user experience.

Multitasking Capabilities Remain Limited

However, the device introduces a significant trade-off in productivity. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, which allows users to run up to three applications simultaneously on the main display, the iPhone Duo supports only two apps at a time. These applications can be placed side by side in either landscape or portrait mode, and users can pair specific apps to open together automatically. While many casual users may not require more than two active windows, power users who rely on the large screen for complex multitasking will find this restriction a step backward compared to current Android alternatives.

Display Quality and Camera Design

Apple has also addressed two common complaints about foldable hardware: visual distractions and screen glare. The iPhone Duo utilizes an under-display camera that remains invisible unless actively used for a video call, eliminating the distracting hole-punch cutout found on rival devices. Furthermore, the interior screen features a matte coating rather than the glossy glass typical of other foldables. This finish reduces reflections and glare, which is particularly beneficial in bright environments, and it also helps to mask the visibility of the central crease. While a slight dip in the display remains, the matte texture makes the fold less obtrusive during everyday use.