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Samsung UK's blog post reports combined European sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra rose 45 percent compared to the Z Fold 7, alongside a 460 percent spike in search volume for the Z8 series in the week of September 6-12, when Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo. Samsung did not mention Apple, the iPhone Duo, or Z Flip 8 sales figures in the post.
A widely shared video demonstrates how a nano-texture matte coating on a conceptual foldable iPhone, dubbed the 'iPhone Duo,' reduces glare and reflections compared to glossy screens on existing Android foldables. The clip argues that removing or avoiding this matte layer would make the display harder to view in certain lighting conditions.
Apple says third-party developers are rapidly updating apps to take advantage of the iPhone Duo's folding design and larger inner display, which it says is 50 percent bigger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple VP Susan Prescott cited 'incredible' developer response, with apps for streaming, gaming and multitasking being adapted, including Netflix adding a seamless Clips-to-viewing transition across the device's displays. Apple plans to spotlight top iPhone Duo apps on the App Store when the device launches this Friday.
Apple will let customers try its new foldable iPhone, the Duo, in stores starting Friday, after last week's preorder window closed for anyone who missed it. CNET outlines several things shoppers should test in-store, including the unfolding animation, the display's matte finish and its minimal crease, before committing to the roughly $2,000 device.
Early reviews of Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, converge on a consistent set of findings. Critics call it the best foldable phone currently available, while flagging a visible and tangible crease, lagging third-party app support for the inner screen, and a design better suited to people who plan to use the unfolded display often rather than occasionally.
Apple announced that more than 50 apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Microsoft Office, Zoom, Slack and Salesforce, have been updated to take advantage of the foldable iPhone Duo's 7.6-inch display. The device launches this Friday, with sports apps like PGA Tour and MLB also tailored to use the folded, multitasking format.
Apple has set a purchase limit of two iPhone Duo foldable phones per customer on its online store, according to CNET. Preorders placed now are estimated to ship by Jan. 25, and in-store stock is expected to be limited when the phone launches Friday. Carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Best Buy reportedly allow larger orders, but only when bundled with a service line.
Wired reports that Apple's new iPhone Duo, which launches Friday at $1,999, will receive the Reachability accessibility setting in a future software update. The feature, which lets users shift the top of the display downward for easier one-handed use, has existed on iPhones since 2014 but hasn't yet been confirmed for the Duo's dual-screen, foldable design.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is now listed at 33% off its retail price on Amazon, marking the lowest price the foldable device has reached since launch. The $655 discount applies to the premium handset, according to the pricing reported by the retailer.
Early reviews of Apple's new foldable-style iPhone Duo praise its hardware design and build quality, according to a TechSpot roundup. However, reviewers raise concerns about whether the device's roughly $2,000 price tag is justified given its features.
9to5Mac published a hands-on review of the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable iPhone, after a week of testing. The reviewer reports the device weighs 254 grams, measures 11.3mm thick when folded and 5.2mm when unfolded, and has a folded footprint of 117.8mm by 84.1mm, noting it feels more comfortable to hold than the iPhone 18 Pro Max despite being heavier.
Engadget's review of Apple's iPhone Duo foldable describes a 5.4-inch 120Hz OLED outer display with up to 3,000 nits brightness, paired with a 7.6-inch inner panel sharing the same aspect ratio and interface for a seamless transition. The inner screen uses a matte nanotexture coating to reduce glare and hide the crease, which is replaceable for $49 but can be damaged if peeled at improperly, with no on-device warning against doing so.