Apple fan brings 53 old iPhones to pick up latest Duo in Dubai

Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, hit shelves on October 24, 2026, at a starting price of 8,499 dirhams in the United Arab Emirates. Just two days after launch, consumer sentiment has shifted from initial excitement to specific technical grievances. Owners and reviewers are focusing heavily on three primary issues: the reliability of the fingerprint-based unlock mechanism, the absence of a telephoto camera, and emerging reports of screen damage dubbed "Crackgate." The device marks a significant departure from Apple’s standard design language. The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch external display that folds out to reveal a 7.6-inch internal OLED screen. This internal panel is 50 percent larger than the display on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, positioning the device as a hybrid between a smartphone and a tablet. When unfolded, the phone measures slightly smaller than an 8.3-inch iPad mini. The hardware includes a titanium frame with a mirror finish and utilizes the A20 Pro chip. Despite its premium build, the phone lacks the Face ID facial recognition system found on other recent iPhones. Instead, Apple integrated a Touch ID fingerprint sensor into the side power button. User feedback highlights friction with this security choice. Reviews indicate that the sensor frequently fails to recognize fingers on the first attempt, requiring multiple tries to unlock the device. One detailed assessment noted that the button’s placement on the right edge poses ergonomic challenges for left-handed users. Although one reviewer awarded the device 4.5 stars, citing superior hardware, performance, and battery life compared to competitors, they acknowledged that the inconsistent unlock process represents a daily inconvenience for a product in this high price bracket. Beyond usability, durability concerns have emerged. A subset of early adopters has reported cracks appearing in the flexible displays, leading online communities to label the issue "Crackgate." Durability has historically been a weak point for foldable devices due to the mechanical stress placed on hinges and flexible panels. Apple has not publicly addressed the cause of these fractures. Given the device’s high cost, many potential buyers are reportedly pausing purchases pending further clarification from the manufacturer. Apple appears to be addressing the biometric limitation in upcoming iterations. According to information shared by tech journalist Mark Gurman on his Power On podcast, Apple is currently testing prototypes of the iPhone Duo 2 equipped with an under-display Face ID sensor and camera on the exterior screen. Gurman stated that the transition from Touch ID to Face ID is expected within the next one or two model cycles, placing the change approximately two to three years away. The delay in the first generation is attributed to spatial constraints. The TrueDepth camera system required for Face ID involves multiple components for 3D mapping, which proved difficult to fit within the iPhone Duo’s 5.2-millimeter thickness. Moving the sensors beneath the display resolves this engineering bottleneck. Camera capabilities also drew criticism. The iPhone Duo ships with a dual-camera setup consisting of a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera and a 48-megapixel Fusion ultra-wide lens. This configuration omits the telephoto lens standard on Apple’s Pro-tier devices. Gurman indicated that Apple is considering adding a zoom lens to future models but has established no firm timeline. The addition faces similar physical limitations, as a zoom lens requires vertical depth that the slim form factor restricts. Future iterations may also feature a larger main display, potentially expanding to between 8.5 and 9 inches, bringing the device closer to the dimensions of a small tablet. Software adaptation presents another hurdle. While the hardware allows for unique usage scenarios, such as propping the phone open like a tent for media consumption or using it as a bedside clock, many applications remain optimized for traditional rectangular screens. Users have reported frustration as developers have not yet updated their apps to fully utilize the expanded canvas. Although the interface feels smoother than competing Android foldables, core multitasking features have been available on rival devices for years. The crease in the center of the display is described as barely visible during normal use and difficult to feel when swiping. The launch coincided with the release of the iPhone 18 series. The iPhone Duo is priced competitively with high-end laptops, starting at $2,000 in the United States and S$3,099 in Singapore. Its pricing aligns with the 14-inch MacBook Pro, signaling Apple’s intent to capture the tablet market segment. The device includes Ceramic Shield protection on both the front and back, along with IP68 water and dust resistance, allowing it to withstand submersion in over one meter of water for 30 minutes. In Dubai, the launch attracted notable attention from collectors. Mohammed Shakaa, a resident originally from Karachi, visited an Apple Store to collect two iPhone Duos. Shakaa arrived with a personal collection of 53 previous-generation iPhones, ranging from the first-generation model to the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple staff had contacted him beforehand to request that he bring his collection to the store. Shakaa, who describes himself as a dedicated Apple enthusiast, has maintained his collection for nearly two decades. He noted that owning the foldable completes a personal milestone, as he has been among the first customers in line for major Apple launches for three consecutive years. His ultimate goal is to attend an Apple launch event in California and secure the first spot in line there. The iPhone Duo represents the most substantial redesign of the iPhone platform in nearly 20 years. By entering the foldable category, Apple aims to reignite consumer interest after years of incremental updates. The device’s success will depend on resolving the current hardware and software friction points while maintaining the premium brand equity associated with the iPhone ecosystem.