Following the appearance of Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, foreign media journalists have generally praised its screen crease control, hinge feel, and the integration of hardware and software. However, concerns about the weight of the device, difficulty in one-handed use, camera zoom capabilities, and the high price have become the main hesitations for early users.
On Wednesday (September 9), Apple launched its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, at the “Surprise and Shine” event. Many invited tech media journalists who experienced the device at the event considered the completion of the screen crease, hinge structure, and multitasking interface to be quite high, making the foldable phone feel closer to a mature consumer product for the first time. Yet, whether the Duo is convincing enough for consumers to accept a price $800 higher than the iPhone 18 Pro remains to be tested in the market.
Nicole Nguyen, a columnist at The Wall Street Journal, who had been using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 for several months, is no stranger to crease issues with foldable screens. She pointed out that while Samsung has managed to reduce the crease in the center of the screen, the crease between the two halves of the inner screen remains quite noticeable.
In comparison, Nguyen found that Apple’s handling of creases with the iPhone Duo was noticeably more advanced. When unfolded, the Duo’s 7.6-inch inner screen appeared almost crease-free, providing a smoother and more seamless user experience resembling an iPad.
Apple adopted a combination of hardware and software to minimize the visual presence of the central crease. The Duo’s inner screen has a matte surface to reduce reflections and mask the crease. Software-wise, when users open or close the device, the system automatically moves interface controls and content away from the central fold line.
For instance, when users watch videos on the outer screen and switch to the larger inner screen upon unfolding the Duo, the transition is smooth, with the content gradually appearing without the feeling of being cut off by the fold line.
TechRadar journalist Lance Ulanoff also gave similar praise. He noted that while he could feel the crease with his fingers, it was hardly visible. This was achieved through a special nano-texture coating on the main screen of the Duo, dispersing incoming light and minimizing the appearance of the crease in the central area.
Andrew Griffin, a journalist at The Independent, believed that many foldable phones on the market still give the impression of “two phones stuck together.” The size imbalances, lack of strong functionality and structure raised concerns about the durability and flexibility of such devices.
Yet, with the iPhone Duo, Griffin felt a sense of intuitive design when folded. The folding and unfolding mechanism of the Duo, alongside the magnetically assisted closure, impressed him, showcasing a seamless display with minimal creases.
He described the experience as if unaware of its foldability, one would mistake the iPhone Duo for a brand-new iPad mini.
Similarly, Ulanoff noted a significant difference in the feel of holding the Duo when folded compared to previous iPhones. While single-handed operation was challenging, dual-handed usage felt natural, and the hinge provided a solid feel, staying at different angles with ease.
However, the foldable design of the device also brought about new usability challenges. Nguyen pointed out that one-handed operation when the Duo is folded presented more difficulty than expected. Due to its increased width and size compared to standard iPhones, typing single-handedly posed a challenge.
She suggested that consumers considering the Duo as their daily driver may need to readjust their grip and input habits to adapt to the new operating style.
To improve accessibility, Apple rearranged part of the interface on the outer screen, distinguishing the Duo from traditional iPhones. Elements like the program dock and control center were moved to the right side of the screen, allowing for easier thumb access. However, such software adjustments may not entirely offset the inconvenience of one-handed use due to the widened body.
Furthermore, Apple emphasized the Duo’s slimness in its promotional videos and press releases, dubbing it the “thinnest iPhone ever” when unfolded. However, when compared to existing foldable devices running the Android system, the Duo’s weight and thickness do not stand out as advantages.
The Duo weighs 254 grams and is 11.3 millimeters thick when folded. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8 weighs only 201 grams and is 9.7 millimeters thick. Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold weighs 239 grams and is 10.1 millimeters thick.
One of the most acclaimed features of the iPhone Duo is the ability to run two apps side by side on the inner screen.
Nguyen initially thought foldable phones catered mainly to mobile professionals or frequent travelers. Yet, after experiencing the Duo, she found it suitable not only for work scenarios but also for users who enjoy watching, reading, or browsing content in bed, offering a viewing experience akin to an iPad mini.
Griffin pointed out that although side-by-side app operation may seem complex from an observer’s perspective, it felt smooth and intuitive in practice, with users mastering the technique quickly.
He believed that Apple’s deep integration of hardware and system software made the initially unfamiliar use of foldable screens natural and seamless.
“After a few minutes of use, you just feel like it was meant to be, and I want to own this phone,” Griffin wrote.
Despite the overall positive feedback, early users still have reservations about the camera setup of the Duo.
Ulanoff mentioned that while playing a high-end game on the Duo, powered by the new 2nm A20 Pro chip, he found the device to deliver strong performance. However, after test-taking photos, he was not entirely satisfied with the camera system of the Duo.
The Duo features a 48-megapixel main camera, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and supports 2x optical zoom. Yet, Ulanoff believed that the 2x zoom setting fell short of the iPhone Pro series, creating a noticeable gap for users requiring distant shots.
Nguyen echoed similar sentiments. While testing the camera, she quickly began missing the 8x zoom capabilities of the Pro models. For family users who frequently take photos of their children daily, the weaker telephoto capabilities might prove unsatisfactory.
While all three media professionals admitted to being attracted to the foldable phone, they did not rule out adding the iPhone Duo to their purchase list in the future. However, they also believed that deciding to pay a premium of $800 over the iPhone 18 Pro for the Duo at this stage is not an easy decision to make.