GoKawiilFor months, rumors suggested Apple would name its first foldable the iPhone Ultra. But on Wednesday, the company unveiled its highly anticipated device with a different name: the iPhone Duo.
Skipping the Ultra name feels fitting for a foldable that doesn’t quite offer Apple’s highest-end features. The Duo is still a premium device, but it lacks a telephoto camera and has a slightly more modest battery than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
In that respect, the iPhone Duo is more comparable to Samsung’s similarly palm-size Galaxy Z Fold 8. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, meanwhile, takes things a step further with Samsung’s top-tier camera and battery specs.
The Duo is designed to be compact and versatile, allowing you to easily watch horizontal videos in landscape mode and vertical content in portrait. On the other hand, the Z Fold 8 Ultra feels similar to a slab phone when closed, thanks to its slim design and more standard dimensions. (Meanwhile, the smaller Galaxy Z Fold 8 shares design elements with the iPhone Duo. You can read more about how those phones compare here.)
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 (left) has a more compact design, while the Z Fold 8 Ultra has a taller build that’s more similar to a slab phone. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
The Duo and Z Fold 8 Ultra share the commonality of a high price tag. The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for 256GB, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at $2,100 for the same storage level.
Preorders for the iPhone Duo kick off Oct. 16 for an Oct. 23 release. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is available now.
Here’s how the two foldable phones compare.
iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra design and displays
The iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch cover display. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET
... continue reading