The Apple iPhone Duo enters the foldable market with a high-end build, but its software optimization and hardware design choices create a mixed user experience. While the device features a high-quality display that effectively hides the crease and minimizes reflections, it suffers from inconsistent app scaling and a lack of native support for the foldable form factor. The placement of volume buttons on the top edge is ergonomically awkward, and the device's weight makes one-handed use challenging. Additionally, the lack of Face ID necessitates reliance on Touch ID or an Apple Watch for authentication, which can be slower. The dock functionality is limited to four icons and requires a swipe-to-home gesture, which is less intuitive than competitors. While the device supports multitasking, it lacks the ability to resize windows or save app pairs, limiting its productivity potential. Despite these drawbacks, the iPhone Duo's display quality and build are impressive, suggesting that Apple has the potential to refine its foldable offering in future iterations.
The iPhone Duo features a high-quality display that effectively hides the crease and minimizes reflections. Software optimization is inconsistent, with many apps failing to scale correctly for the foldable form factor.
The top-mounted volume buttons are ergonomically awkward and only practical in portrait orientation. The device lacks Face ID, requiring users to rely on Touch ID or an Apple Watch for authentication.
Multitasking is limited by the inability to resize windows or save specific app pairs for later use. The dock is restricted to four icons and requires a swipe-to-home gesture, which is less efficient than on other foldables.
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Worth noting
- This video is sponsored by Burphy, which provided the case reviewed.
- The iPhone Duo is a conceptual or unreleased product, and the reviewer's experience may not reflect final retail hardware or software.