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IPhone Duo folds Apple into the category Samsung opened seven years ago
Apple's first foldable costs $1,999, drops Face ID for Touch ID and adds Apple Pencil support, but it weighs 254g and has rough edges.
A late entry with a high price
Apple's first folding smartphone, the iPhone Duo, arrives seven years after Samsung pioneered the category with the Galaxy Fold. [1] It launches at $1,999 and goes on sale in the UAE from 23 October. [1][2]
If you are weighing it against Samsung, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is lighter than the Duo (201g vs 254g) and AED 1,300 cheaper. [2] The Duo is also heavier than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. [3]
Hardware and screens
The Duo has a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display. [1] The inner display has a nano-texture finish with a titanium plate underneath. [2] The matte finish reduces the reflections that make creases stand out. [2] The reviewer found that the inner display cannot be pressed to move at the crease. [3]
The hinge is made of titanium and aluminium and has more than 100 components inside. [2] The Duo is rated IP68 for dust and water protection, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has an IP48 rating. [2]
Storage goes up to 2TB, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 tops out at 1TB. [2] The Duo is eSIM-only worldwide. [2]
Chip, battery and cooling
The Duo uses the A20 Pro chip, described as the same 2nm chip as the iPhone 18 Pro. [2] A vapour chamber is rated for around 35% faster sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro. [2]
The dual-cell battery puts one battery in each half, totalling roughly 4,883mAh. [2] Apple rates the Duo at up to 31 hours of video on the inner screen and 44 hours on the outer screen. [2] The reviewer found all-day battery life in a variety of situations. [3]
Cameras, Touch ID and software
The Duo has a 12MP Center Stage camera on the outside and a 4MP inner camera, which is hidden under the inner display panel. [3][2] It lacks a telephoto lens, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max offers a telephoto and a variable-aperture main camera. [3] Duo Preview shows the person being photographed a live view of the camera on the outer screen. [2]
Every iPhone model supports Face ID except the Duo. [3] It relies on Touch ID, reportedly because Face ID takes up too much space in the thin Duo. [1] Touch ID returns on a flagship iPhone for the first time with the Duo. [1] The Dynamic Island moved to the top-right edge around the outer selfie camera. [1]
The Duo is the first iPhone to support Apple Pencil on either display, with support arriving later this year. [2] Samsung dropped S Pen support across the whole Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup. [2]
Apple lets users split the keyboard on the inner display, and a Reachability update is coming later this year. [1] The Dock sits vertically on the right-hand side and cannot be moved. [3] The Duo can run a picture-in-picture video overlay, but not more than two apps on screen. [3]
Where it falls short
Because the Duo is shorter than other iPhones, a MagSafe wallet sticks out past the lower edge, and Apple has no official solution. [1] When unfolded and attached to a car dock or tripod, the Duo tips to one side because the magnet cannot hold it straight given its uneven weight distribution. [1]
Many third-party apps are not yet optimized for the outer or inner screen sizes. [1]
Repairs add cost. Replacing a scratched or damaged nano-texture finish costs $19, or $49 if the phone is out of warranty. [1] Replacing a cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+. [1]
Earlier foldable attempts
Microsoft launched the Surface Duo in 2019 and discontinued it in 2024. [3] The reviewer's Threads post for questions about the Duo drew 1,300 comments. [3]
What it means for you
If you use a MagSafe wallet or a car dock or tripod, check the fit first, because the wallet sticks out past the lower edge and the unfolded phone tips to one side. [1] If you rely on Face ID, the Duo is the one iPhone without it. [3]
If you want a pen, the Duo supports Apple Pencil later this year, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has dropped S Pen support. [2] If weight and price matter most, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is lighter and AED 1,300 cheaper. [2] Before you buy, note that a cracked inner display costs $999 to replace without AppleCare+. [1]
Sources
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