Design skews from hardware to software

The first point is that the design of the iPhone Duo is uneven, from hardware to software. Regarding hardware, the screen is made in a D shape, not a square, sharp rectangle like other folding phones, for example Galaxy Z Fold 8. Looking at the device when folded, you will see that it is very skewed and unbalanced.

Close-up camera angle: Galaxy Z Fold 8 with square corners, rounded iPhone Duo

External screen of iPhone Duo on the right next to Galaxy Z Fold 8: one side has square corners, one side is rounded

The same goes for software. Almost all applications that have been optimized up to now are still misaligned. I think this is Apple's general direction with Duo, so it's probably difficult to customize. For example, the Settings interface is a very simple screen, but it is located completely to the left.

The Settings interface on the internal screen is off to the side

Reading interface on iPhone Duo on the right, content is pushed to the left

Advertisement

Of course this doesn't affect usage too much, I still swipe left and right normally. But in terms of aesthetics, I'm not a very picky person but I still find it very uncomfortable. Left and right balance is almost something people have been accustomed to for a long time, I don't understand why the iPhone Duo is so skewed to one side.

While using the screen horizontally, the dock is still close to the right edge

Clear and matte screen

The second thing I don't like is the nano-texture coated screen. As I shared in another video, I advise you not to try to peel this layer off, even though it makes the contrast and color quite clearly worse. In the studio, many lights have decreased a bit, but when I take the camera out on the street, the screen looks a lot more opaque and dim.

In a room under light, the screen in the iPhone Duo on the right is dimmer than the Galaxy Z Fold 8

Advertisement

Outside in the afternoon with iPhone Duo on the left and Galaxy Z Fold 8 on the right

People around me who pick up the iPhone Duo all prefer the external screen, because the external screen is glossy. Personally, I find it extremely uncomfortable. Icons, colors, and even actors' faces when watching movies are blurry, unclear, and colors are not reproduced clearly like normal phones.

Looking from the side, the black color on the iPhone Duo on the right is clearly gray

Same article with white background: Galaxy Z Fold 8 on the left is clearer, iPhone Duo on the right is opaque

I think if the next iPhone Duo gives users two options, like what Apple has done on the iPad or MacBook, a normal glossy screen version and a nano-texture version, then that will be a more reasonable direction.

The glossy screen of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 on the right reflects the light, the nano-texture screen of the iPhone Duo scatters

Weight and holding method

The third point is definitely weight. I think this will be a painful problem for the iPhone Duo both now and in the next few years, if Apple has not found a better way to optimize it. When folded, the phone is a bit square, a bit fat, a bit short, not as long and slender as a regular phone, so even though it's heavy, it still fits in the palm of your hand and doesn't fall easily like many people say. But holding it for a long time still makes your hands tired. This is not just the Duo, the iPhone 17 Pro or 18 Pro are also much heavier than previous generations.

iPhone Duo viewed from a low angle, the device is quite thick when folded

Tent-style setup: Galaxy Z Fold 8 on the left is thinner, iPhone Duo on the right is noticeably thicker

More tension than when opening the internal screen. At that point the weight begins to affect the experience. When held vertically, the lower end can easily tilt and slide forward. I've also had problems with iPad mini, but with Duo it's more common. My advice is to hold it with two hands, one above and one below, or hold it horizontally for stability.

When opening the device, hold it with both hands

Price and software are not optimized

The fourth dislike is the price. iPhone Duo's exterior design is quite good, but with a price of up to 60 million, 70 million for the lowest version at the present time, it is not worth the money. Talking about value for money, as I said, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is much more worth the money when it is much cheaper than the iPhone Duo now.

iPhone Duo and Galaxy Z Fold 8 standing side by side

Let's talk more about software, for example Telegram, an app I use a lot. Flipping horizontally, the app displays a split-window interface, but flipping vertically becomes full screen. On the Galaxy Z Fold 8, holding the app vertically or horizontally is still divided in half, making it easier to use. Many other apps are almost just enlarged iPhone interfaces.

Telegram on the inner screen: Galaxy Z Fold 8 on the left, iPhone Duo on the right

There is an app on iPhone Duo that almost only enlarges the iPhone interface

Finished and sturdy hinges

Now to the points I like. Firstly, the machine is very well made, so far I have had no problems. The chassis is made of titanium, like the iPhone Air. The hinge is very sturdy and does not creak, unlike many Android folding machines I have used.

iPhone Duo hinge seen from the back, the two halves fit tightly when opened flat

Hinges hold the device upright at a half-folded angle

The hinge has another good point: opening the device is much easier than some other folding phones. At first it opened very lightly, then gradually, I slowly used force to open it completely straight.

Next to iPhone Duo when opened flat

Arrangement of camera, speaker and volume buttons

The third thing I like is the very smart way Apple places components and buttons. First is the horizontal camera cluster. Placing it horizontally like that will leave a lot of space on the back for you to use accessories, but placing it vertically will cause your accessories to become entangled.

Horizontal camera cluster on the back of iPhone Duo

The back of the iPhone Duo has a large gap when opened

The two speakers are as I said in another clip, the bottom speaker is on the left, the top speaker is on the right. This type of speaker-folding device sometimes sounds a bit louder on the left. I rarely watch movies on my phone so it doesn't bother me too much.

Next to iPhone Duo with speaker strip and buttons

The volume up and down buttons are located in a very reasonable position. Fold it, open it or turn it upside down, you can still reach it. Even holding it vertically, a rather difficult position, I can still raise my finger to adjust the volume.

Holding iPhone Duo when folded

Something that makes me excited about the iPhone again

The last point I like is that the iPhone Duo has changed a lot the way a folding phone works compared to before.

Fold the device in half and place it on the table to display StandBy

Although the device still has many errors, deviations, and many unfinished things, it still gives me a feeling of excitement when holding an iPhone again. It's been a long time since I lost that feeling, from iPhone 16 Pro to 18 Pro, nothing makes me interested. With iPhone Duo, my interest in iPhone started to return.

FaceTime on iPhone Duo on table

What do you think about the iPhone Duo? Do the things I don't like above make you hesitate? Comment to let me know.