Matte inner screen and enjoyable use
The biggest advantages of the iPhone Duo are the matte inner screen and the hinge. After a week of testing, Gizmodo writes that it can't put the phone down, and the inner panel "really looks like printed paper" — the crease is visible essentially only when the screen is off. The nano-texture layer also reduces glare, though Engadget warns that it can be replaced for 49 dollars and that during setup there is no message that the film must not be peeled off on your own.
The inner screen is 7.6 inches with a resolution of 1878 x 2670, the outer one 5.4 inches with 1398 x 2034. Both offer refresh rates of up to 120 Hz (ProMotion) and up to 3000 nits of brightness outdoors (Apple data). Inside works the same chip as in the iPhone 18 Pro, namely the A20 Pro. Apple opted for Touch ID in the power button instead of Face ID, because the phone folds in many positions. Engadget: unlocking works precisely, but slightly slower than with the competition.
The hinge consists of over 100 elements. It moves smoothly and holds the phone at a wide range of angles, and the pressure needed to unfold it increases with the angle. In addition, IP68 rating, meaning resistance to dust and water. According to Engadget, among foldable smartphones available in the US, only the Pixel 11 Pro Fold family also has it.
Small outer screen, heavy body, average cameras, and overheating
254 grams. That's how much the iPhone Duo weighs, and it's one of the first things reviewers notice. For comparison, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is 249 g, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is only 201 g. Gizmodo writes that the phone can pull a pants pocket down, and during longer scrolling you have to hold it with both hands. Apple explains the weight by the titanium frame and the hinge mechanism.
The outer screen is 5.4 inches. Reviewers agree: it's too small. You can handle notifications or a quick reply on it with one hand, but it won't replace a full phone. When folded, you're left with a panel smaller than in most regular smartphones.
The rear camera is dual, and there's no third zoom lens known from the iPhone Pro line. Wired says outright that it lacks that telephoto lens. Techmeme headlines sum it up briefly: average cameras and phone overheating. The latter was noted by reviewers as a recurring problem during intensive use.
The software has rigid limitations. Apple doesn't allow changing window proportions in split-screen mode, it's always 50-50. You can't add a third floating app, and in portrait orientation you can only split the screen with a video app. The trackpad requires enabling AssistiveTouch in accessibility settings.
Price and availability in Poland
The starting price of the iPhone Duo is 1999 dollars. For the largest storage capacity, you have to pay 3199 dollars. That's the highest amount Apple has ever asked for an iPhone — for comparison, the first thousand-dollar model, the iPhone X, looks almost like a bargain today at these price ranges (Gizmodo).
That's where the money information ends. In Poland the iPhone Duo starts at 9,999 zł. Pre-orders opened on October 16 and sales start on Friday, October 23, in versions from 256 GB to 2 TB. According to Polish tech sites (including iMagazine and PortalTechnologiczny.pl), the first batch in Poland has already sold out. Reviewers did not give prices for the intermediate variants between 1999 and 3199 dollars.
Sources
- Gizmodo: iPhone Duo Review: Waiting to Refine Foldables Was the Right Move
- WIRED: Apple iPhone Duo Review: Is It Worth It?
- Engadget: Apple iPhone Duo review: A first-class foldable
Article prepared with the help of artificial intelligence based on: Gizmodo, WIRED, Engadget. Facts checked automatically against these sources. The Wiadomości PRO newsroom is responsible for this publication.
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