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CNET tested Vivo's new X Fold 6 foldable phone for several days, praising its vibrant blue frosted-glass design, strong camera performance and battery life. The device is a traditional book-style foldable running last year's MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, and is not officially sold in the US or UK, though it can be imported from resellers in China or parts of Europe.
Owners of foldable phones say they cannot place outgoing calls through Android Auto when their devices are closed, with one user receiving a prompt to 'flip open to continue.' Reports on Reddit and in Google and Motorola support forums indicate incoming calls still work fine, and several affected users say the problem began after they started using Gemini. Google and Motorola representatives have been gathering details from affected users but have not confirmed a cause.
Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, is set to go on sale October 23 with pre-orders starting a week earlier, following the already-available iPhone 18 Pro. Competitors including Xiaomi, Oppo, Motorola and Samsung have been developing foldable phones in a similar compact 'passport' format, positioning themselves ahead of Apple's entry into the category.
Samsung and Motorola have issued guidance on maintaining foldable phone hinges, recommending users clear debris from the inner display before closing the device and avoid excessive pressure. Samsung notes its Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 carry IP48 ratings, meaning protection from objects 1mm or larger but not full dust resistance, while Motorola warns that dust buildup can shorten hinge life and damage internal displays, advising against pressurized air dusters.
Foldable phones like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 and Apple's new iPhone Duo include a factory-installed protector on their flexible inner displays, since the screens use layered flexible material rather than rigid glass. Apple's version adds a nano-texture coating that creates a matte finish and reduces crease visibility. Both companies warn against removing or replacing this protector yourself, offering official repair channels instead.
Android Authority's review of the 2026 Motorola Razr finds it largely unchanged from last year's model in specs, but with a higher price tag of $799.99. The phone retains its 3.6-inch cover screen, dual 50MP cameras, and a Dimensity 7450 chipset, delivering solid performance and photo quality in a design nearly identical to its predecessor aside from new color options.
A comparison outlines key differences between Apple's upcoming iPhone Duo foldable, shipping October 23, and Motorola's Razr Ultra, already on the market. The Duo opens into a passport-style 7.6-inch iPad-like display and uses Apple's A20 Pro chip, while the Razr Ultra opens into a standard 7-inch candybar layout and runs on a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 16GB of RAM. Both devices use dual rear cameras, with Apple rated at 48 megapixels and Motorola at 50, while Motorola's front camera outpaces the Duo's at 50 megapixels versus 12.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 with 256GB storage has dropped to $1,549.99 at Amazon, down from $1,899.99, with Best Buy pricing it $100 higher. The Z Fold 8 Ultra now starts at $1,699.99, down from $2,099.99, marking $150 off its previous lowest price.
Samsung warns that dirt, coins, and keys can scratch or puncture the internal screens of its Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra models, especially when closing the device. The level of protection varies, with these models rated IP48, indicating some resistance to solids but not dust-tight, unlike the IP68-rated iPhone Duo. Users in dusty or sandy environments should exercise caution to prevent damage.
Apple's iPhone Duo introduced a redesigned outer display that places navigation and dock controls within thumb's reach while retaining a large viewing area. The design has inspired tech enthusiasts, including a Twitter user named Dylan, to mock up a non-folding 'iPhone Solo' concept using the same outer-screen layout and proportions.
Apple vice-president Kate Bergeron told a TikTok creator that the iPhone Duo's matte display coating, which helps minimize the crease on its foldable screen, can be replaced over time. She did not specify pricing or whether users can do this themselves, but described significant engineering work to extend the layer's performance.
Reports indicate Huawei and other Chinese smartphone makers saw increased demand for their foldable devices following the announcement of Apple's iPhone Duo. China is emerging as a key battleground where Apple will compete against established domestic foldable brands.