Apple · Reviewed by Marques Brownlee · Published 2026-09-10
Based on a review by Marques Brownlee (accessed 2026-09-10).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about seamless and exceptionally fast animation between inner and outer displays — just accept slightly thicker than a standard iphone.
The reviewer concludes that the iPhone Duo, while functionally very similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, offers "tiny, frankly unnecessary, but also very awesome quality-of-life things" and a superior "fit and finish" with neat animations that make it feel like a "more fun phone to use." He states that the iPhone "kind of mogs the Samsung."
The video provides first impressions and a hands-on look at the new iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the new folding iPhone Duo. It covers design aspects, new features like the A20 Pro chip, variable aperture camera, and a smaller Dynamic Island on the Pro models, while primarily focusing on the iPhone Duo's form factor, display, software, and comparison with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.
The Apple iPhone Duo stands out as a highly polished foldable, offering a more enjoyable and refined user experience compared to its immediate competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. The device features exceptionally fast and seamless animations when transitioning between its inner and outer displays, eliminating the typical delay seen in other foldables. Its interior display utilizes a nano-texture matte coating which effectively hides the crease visually and provides a smooth tactile feel under the finger. However, the front 5.4-inch display is quite small, and the device foregoes Face ID in favor of a power button-integrated Touch ID sensor. If you prioritize a premium, fluid user experience with a nearly invisible crease in a foldable form factor, this phone is worth considering. If you need the largest possible external display or require Face ID biometric security, you might want to explore other options.
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There's a new A20 Pro chip in the iPhone 18 Pro models, which is a 2 nanometer chip and has 50% more memory bandwidth.
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Apple is claiming the new 18 Pro will have the same battery life as the 17 Pro Max, and the new 18 Pro Max will have the best battery life ever in an iPhone.
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There's also a new variable aperture lens on the main camera of the iPhone 18 Pro, which can stop down with manual control, offering four stops that can be cycled through on demand.
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The Dynamic Island at the top of the iPhone 18 Pro is 25% smaller because the Face ID infrared camera was moved behind the display.
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The new iPhone 18 Pro phones start at $1,199, and the new Pro Maxes start at $1,299, which is $100 more than last year's models.
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The iPhone Duo is a passport-shaped, book-style foldable with a 5.4-inch display on the front and a 7.6-inch display when opened.
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The iPhone Duo lacks Face ID; instead, the power button on the right-hand rail functions as a Touch ID fingerprint reader.
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The iPhone Duo's nano-texture matte coating on the display effectively cuts down reflections and does a great job hiding the crease, which is already pretty minimal, similar to the Oppo Find N6.
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The iPhone Duo features a 'sweet animation' for transitioning between the inner and outer displays, which is very smooth and quick, opening exceptionally fast every time.
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Functionally, the iPhone Duo and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 are very similar, both having dual cameras, flagship chips, solid battery life, and a fingerprint reader on the power button.
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The iPhone Duo possesses numerous 'tiny, frankly unnecessary, but also very awesome quality-of-life things' that make it feel like a more fun phone to use compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, including its fit and finish and animations.
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The interior display's coating on the iPhone Duo blocks reflections extremely well, aiding in hiding the crease visually, and it feels smooth to the touch, allowing a finger to glide over it easily.
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The iPhone Duo is IP68 water and dust resistance rated, meaning it can theoretically be submerged and should be fine with water poured on it, a feature shared with few other foldables like the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
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The iPhone Duo's hinge allows it to be used half-open, with many apps being responsive to this mode, and it can even be locked in tent mode to display a clock or alarm.
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The most obvious visual downside of the iPhone Duo is its asymmetrical cover screen display, which is rounded on the right and squared on the left.
The iPhone 18 Pro models incorporate an A20 Pro chip, which is a 2nm processor with 50% more memory bandwidth. Their main camera now includes a variable aperture lens with four manual stops, and the Dynamic Island is 25% smaller due to the Face ID camera being relocated behind the display.
The new iPhone 18 Pro models are priced higher than their predecessors, with the iPhone 18 Pro starting at $1,199 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max starting at $1,299. This marks a $100 price increase compared to last year's models.
The iPhone Duo features a book-style folding design that is passport-shaped when closed. It has a 5.4-inch display on the front cover and opens up to reveal a larger 7.6-inch internal display, designed to function like an iPhone when closed and an iPad mini when open.
The reviewer found the iPhone Duo's crease to be "pretty minimal" and comparable to the Oppo Find N6, one of the least noticeable on a folding phone. The nano-texture matte coating on the internal display does a great job of cutting down reflections, which visually hides the crease, and the hinge design with carbon-fiber support plates also contributes to its stiffness.
Functionally, the iPhone Duo and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 are described as "very similar," sharing features like dual cameras, flagship chips, solid battery life, and power button fingerprint readers. However, the reviewer feels the iPhone Duo provides numerous "tiny, frankly unnecessary, but also very awesome quality-of-life things" and a better "fit and finish," including smoother animations and a more refined overall feel, making it a "more fun phone to use" that "kind of mogs the Samsung."
The iPhone Duo is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, a significant durability feature. This means it can theoretically be submerged in water and should be fine if water is poured on it, making it one of the few foldables with this level of protection.
The reviewer points out that the most obvious visual downside of the iPhone Duo is the asymmetry of its cover screen. The display is rounded on the right side and squared on the left, creating a visually unbalanced look, though this does not significantly affect functionality.
85/100 source quality
Marques Brownlee shares his initial impressions of Apple's latest iPhones, including the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the debut folding iPhone Duo. He notes the 18 Pro models retain a similar design but feature an A20 Pro chip, variable camera aperture, and a reduced Dynamic Island. The review primarily focuses on the iPhone Duo, highlighting its passport-shaped book-style foldable design, 5.4-inch external and 7.6-inch internal displays, Touch ID, and iOS-like software experience. Brownlee praises the Duo's minimal crease, anti-glare display coating, and smooth animations, suggesting it offers a more refined user experience compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. He also mentions its IP68 rating and support for half-open modes.
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This page converts Marques Brownlee's review of the Apple iPhone Duo into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
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