Verge Staffers’ iPhone Duo Reviews: Hits and Misses

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Apple has just announced its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo. The new phone has a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner screen, two back cameras, Touch ID for authentication, an IP68 rating, and all sorts of slick software tricks to make iOS feel more at home on the new device. Preorders start on October 16th ahead of availability on October 23rd, and it starts at $1,999 for 256GB of storage.

It’s a huge announcement for Apple, and we have many feelings about it. Here’s our gut reactions to the phone. And let us know in the comments what you think!

I think iPhone Duo is the perfect name for Apple’s foldable. Two screens, Duo. Two back cameras, Duo. (I imagine a future version will get three, but right now we have two.) Duo is a concise three letters, putting it in line with other memorable Apple monikers like Air, Pro, Max, and Neo. Though somewhere at Microsoft, I am sure someone is fuming. —Jay Peters, senior reporter

I’ve never wanted a new iPhone more. As an iPad Mini stan, it is the ideal device for me. The size, the form factor, the multitasking possibilities. But I won’t be buying it. It’s just too expensive. [Ed. note: The phone starts at $1,999.] —Jennifer Tuohy, senior reviewer

The Apple Pencil support makes the Duo an iPad Mini killer and the perfect on-the-go sketchbook for digital artists. —Kevin McShane, editorial director, audio & video

A folding phone sounds great, and I dig the form factor of the iPhone Duo. As my eyes get worse, I want a bigger phone, but I don’t want to carry a bigger phone. But if I’m real with myself, I don’t need to spend more time looking at my screen, and I don’t want to downgrade my camera system either. I am a bad photographer who has fast-moving kids and puppies, and I’m not willing to give up the telephoto lens on my 17 Pro. Maybe I’ll get some reading glasses. —Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor

If Apple takes foldables beyond niche, the new 1.4:1 aspect ratio (a far superior ratio!) might change how content creators operate. Seriously, that is a far more reasonable aspect ratio, especially for portraits, and, strangely, it might be the thing that I’m most excited about with the Duo. —Marina Galperina, senior tech editor

I wasn’t a big fan of the short and stout foldable look when I saw Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, but it’s starting to grow on me. The iPhone Duo looks like it’s comfortable to hold in one hand (which could mean no more dropping my phone on my face while lying down), and its thin profile makes it look pleasant to carry around in a purse. —Emma Roth, news writer The larger size of the iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPad for watching TV shows and movies is appealing, but the concern about a visible crease from folding and unfolding the portable screen over time is a major drawback. The worry about the crease being distracting, even if slight, makes it difficult to justify spending a minimum of $2,000 on the device. The idea of a crease potentially becoming more noticeable with extended use is a valid concern that may deter potential buyers.

The comparison between the Microsoft Duo and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 reveals similarities in their design and pricing. Both devices prioritize performance over camera quality, distinguishing them from their respective companies’ higher-end models. The slight price difference between the Duo and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 leaves room in the market for Android manufacturers to introduce foldable devices with more advanced features. Apple and Samsung seem to be targeting the mainstream market with their foldable devices, while other manufacturers may focus on catering to specific needs such as photography, battery life, and professional features.

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