GoKawiilIt’s finally here: Apple on Wednesday unveiled its first foldable iPhone, called the iPhone Duo. It’ll start at $1,999 for 256GB in the US. Preorders for the iPhone Duo begin on Oct. 16, ahead of an Oct. 23 release.
Apple debuted the new device during its fall event in Cupertino, California, along with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. It appears the company will save the baseline iPhone 18 for a later reveal, likely in spring 2027.
Similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, the iPhone Duo is designed to be better suited for consuming all kinds of media. If you’re watching a YouTube video or movie, the inside display gives you plenty of room. Rotate it to portrait, and you can endlessly scroll through vertical videos or read an e-book. The compact cover screen can be handy for quickly sending a message or checking notifications. It’s essentially designed to function as a compact iPhone that can double as an iPad Mini when needed.
I spent some time with the iPhone Duo at Apple Park, and here are a few features that stand out to me.
iPhone Duo design and build
The iPhone Duo is compact, with a passport-size design. It has a 7.6-inch display on the inside and a 5.4-inch outer display. It fits squarely in my palm, with dimensions similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, which has a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display.
Apple says the Duo is the thinnest iPhone ever when open, measuring 5.2mm. It’s 11.3mm thick when closed. A titanium frame keeps it lightweight at 254 grams.
One of the key differences in feel between Apple’s and Samsung’s phones is that the iPhone Duo has a matte, nano-textured finish on the inner display, which reduces the phone’s crease while also curbing reflections. It has a satisfying feel and really makes the crease virtually disappear when the screen is on. I find it even harder to notice than the Z Fold 8’s, which also has an anti-reflective display.
What crease?? Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET
While the Z Fold 8 has sharper corners, the iPhone Duo takes on more rounded edges. Which look you prefer comes down to preference. For now, I’m partial to the Z Fold 8’s more square-like design that makes it appear slightly more polished , but it’s possible the Duo’s style will grow on me.
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