GoKawiilBefore now, Apple really didn’t have a device that sat between an iPhone and an iPad to give you a bigger screen while still being a smartphone. But is Apple’s first foldable phone all you need now?
CNET Senior Tech Reporter Abrar Al-Heeti says the new iPhone Duo resembles a passport, with a 7.6-inch display inside and a 5.4-inch display outside. But how much smaller is it compared to Apple’s tiniest tablet?
By comparison, the iPad Mini is bigger than the iPhone Duo, with a screen size of just over 8 inches. But the iPhone Duo’s functionality and bigger screen size make me wonder if it’s the perfect handheld device if you’re already considering a new iPhone and iPad.
CNET Director of Content Patrick Holland previously told me a foldable phone, like Samsung’s Z Fold lineup and Galaxy Tab series, is a niche product and isn’t meant to replace the iPhone model you may be used to. But it makes me wonder if the iPhone Duo is Apple’s way of selling to those who want one device to do the work of two. Especially if you’re already considering upgrading your personal devices ahead of the holidays.
Let’s do the math.
Say you’re eyeing the iPhone 17 base model (256GB), which now starts at $899. But maybe you want an iPad with more power and speed for other tasks, so you pick the iPad Pro, which starts at $1,199. Boom. You’ve already spent $99 more than the $1,999 iPhone Duo.
Or maybe you want the iPhone 18 Pro Max (256GB) for $1,299 and the iPad Mini for $599 — totaling $1,898. That’s $101 less than the Duo’s starting price, but the extra money may be worth it if you want the convenience of having one device instead of two. Especially since the iPhone Duo is packed with features and specs like Dual Capture to FaceTime on the front and rear cameras simultaneously. The ultrawide and main cameras are both 48 megapixels, and it has a powerful battery that gives you up to 24 hours of power if you use both displays. And the real bonus is the A20 Pro chip for better speed and performance. Plus, you can still expect all the bells and whistles iOS offers.
But CNET Editor at Large Scott Stein made a few points in his commentary that you should consider. The iPhone Duo only supports the USB-C Pencil for now, not the Apple Pencil 2 or Pencil Pro. And the foldable doesn’t run on iPadOS. It’s an iOS variant with a different layout, so if you have iPad-specific apps or games, they may not work as intended.
The CNET team will conduct a full hands-on test of the iPhone Duo soon to evaluate all of the perks and pain points. But take it from me, as someone who has a MacBook Pro, iPad Mini and iPhone 17 Pro Max, I rarely use all of those devices. The iPhone Duo could be one device that suits all of your needs. (Or at least two out of three.) And maybe that’s a new audience that Apple’s hoping to capture.