Apple finally unveiled its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, which arrives on October 23 with a starting price of $1,999. The model sits slightly above the Pixel 11 Pro Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 8, following the path already paved by Samsung, OnePlus, and Google in this segment.
Unlike several rivals, the Duo adopts a passport-style approach. Both the inner and outer screens maintain the same aspect ratio, and some apps can be used even when the device is partially closed. The special layer of the inner screen, combined with the hinge design, makes the crease almost unnoticeable, a point where Samsung and Oppo have also made significant advancements.
Journalists from The Verge were able to test it at Apple's "Surprise and shine" event. Those looking for a more detailed first impression can check out the hands-on published by the outlet, which will continue to update coverage until the official launch and the full review.
Comparing specifications between a foldable iPhone and Android models always feels a bit forced, as is the case with traditional phones. Still, it is useful to look at the numbers of the closest competitors.
Displays and design
The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch OLED main display with a resolution of 1878 x 2670 and up to 120 Hz. The cover display is 5.4 inches OLED, with a resolution of 1398 x 2034 and the same refresh rate. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold has an 8-inch inner display and a larger cover display of 6.5 inches. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 maintains 7.6 inches inside and 5.5 inches outside.
In dimensions, the Duo measures 117.8 x 164.6 x 5.2 mm when open and 117.8 x 84.1 x 11.3 mm when closed. It weighs 254 grams. The Pixel is slightly lighter (239 g) and the Fold 8 is the lightest of the three, at 201 grams and a thinner profile when closed.
The iPhone Duo's battery is advertised to last up to 24 hours of use. The Pixel has 4,750 mAh and the Galaxy has 4,800 mAh. The Duo's processor is the A20 Pro, compared to Google's Tensor G6 and Samsung's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
In terms of cameras, the Duo features a dual rear sensor of 48 MP (main and ultrawide) and a 12 MP front camera on the cover. The Pixel adds a telephoto lens and the Fold 8 also opts for 50 MP sensors. All allow recording in 4K, although the Samsung can reach 8K at 30 fps.
Protection, charging, and price
Both the Duo and the Pixel have an IP68 rating. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is rated IP48. The iPhone's wired charging reaches 40 W and wireless charging 25 W. The Samsung charges faster via cable (45 W) but slower wirelessly.
The Duo comes in star white and night sky colors. The Pixel offers olive and obsidian, while the Fold 8 has more options, including lavender, graphite, cream, and pistachio. The starting price of the iPhone Duo is $1,999, compared to $1,899 for the Pixel and $1,899.99 for the Galaxy.
In summary, the iPhone Duo arrives with a passport-style design, an almost invisible crease, and the iOS 27 ecosystem. Its Android rivals offer larger screens in some cases, less weight, and a slightly lower price. The final choice will depend on whether the user prioritizes Apple's software experience or the hardware advantages already established by Samsung and Google.
