Apple’s first foldable earns praise but makes compromises
Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, receives a largely positive review for its titanium build, reduced inner-screen crease, and software that handles the two displays smoothly. The reviewer notes trade-offs including Touch ID in place of Face ID, no Action Button, cameras below the iPhone 18 Pro, and a high price with long wait times. It is positioned as a strong option for buyers who will regularly use the larger screen.
The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first folding handset, priced at £1,999/$1,999—the highest starting figure in its iPhone range. It pairs a 5.4-inch cover display with a 7.6-inch inner panel, uses the A20 Pro chip and a dual-screen version of iOS 27, and comes in Night Sky or Star White with an IP68 rating.
Its titanium frame measures 5.2mm when open, and the hinge holds positions from slightly open to tent mode; magnets snap the halves shut. Reviewers highlight the matt inner screen’s reduced crease and smooth display switching, but note Touch ID replacing Face ID, no Action Button, cameras behind the iPhone 18 Pro, and long waits.
The iPhone Duo could affect frequent mobile workers, travelers, and media-heavy users who value a tablet-like inner screen, while its price and wait times may limit uptake to enthusiasts and professionals. Its compromises on biometrics and cameras may prompt some iPhone loyalists to delay upgrading or choose standard Pro models. More broadly, Apple’s entry may push foldable design toward mainstream acceptance, but it is unlikely to reshape everyday phone use immediately.