32,000 folds: the iPhone Duo in the hardness test

Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, begins shipping to early buyers this Friday. The device carries a starting price of 2,300 euros, though stock shortages mean new customers may wait until January for delivery. While the new form factor introduces unique design elements, reviewers and analysts point to several functional deficits compared to the more expensive iPhone 18 Pro Max. The phone features a 7.6-inch inner display and a smaller outer screen, but lacks certain hardware components found in other recent models. The physical dimensions of the iPhone Duo differ significantly from previous expectations. The inner display measures 7.6 inches diagonally, which is roughly equivalent in height to the iPhone 18 Pro Max in portrait mode, albeit slightly wider. The outer display is shorter than the iPhone 13 mini, though broader. Consequently, the device does not function as a larger tablet-like experience comparable to the 8.3-inch iPad mini. Users must adapt to the interface, although Apple states its operating system includes provisions for adequate usability. However, developers must update their applications to fully optimize them for the dual-screen layout. Hardware comparisons reveal distinct trade-offs against the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which costs at least 1,600 euros more. The Duo omits facial recognition, instead utilizing a Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into the side button. It supports only eSIMs, with no physical SIM card slots available. Battery life claims suggest up to 24 hours of typical usage, whereas the 18 Pro Max offers up to 30 hours. Charging speeds via cable are marginally slower, and the device weighs approximately 40 grams more than its non-foldable counterpart. The camera system represents a notable reduction in capability. The Duo lacks a third sensor, specifically the telephoto lens, meaning optical zoom relies solely on cropping the main camera image. Features such as variable aperture, advanced image stabilization, and specific focus pixel coverage are inferior to those in the Pro model. Apple has excluded the LiDAR scanner, preventing the capture of spatial photos and videos. Professional video formats including ProRes and ProRes RAW are unsupported, as are ProRAW photos. Additionally, color profiles like ACES and Apple Log 2 are absent from the camera application. Durability tests indicate the hinge mechanism withstands heavy use. Joanna Stern, a former Wall Street Journal tech reporter who runs her own YouTube channel, conducted a stress test over four nights. She used custom-built hardware to open and close the device 32,000 times. The result showed the hinge felt nearly unchanged, potentially even slightly stiffer than before. Stern noted no difference in daily use, describing the performance as impressive. This aligns with Apple’s emphasis on manufacturing quality. The device supports multiple folding angles, including a half-open tent mode and a mini-notebook configuration, with software adjusting automatically to the fold status. Uncertainty remains regarding dust and sand resistance. Industry standards for foldables have historically struggled with particle ingress. Reports indicate that competitors like Google and Samsung face similar challenges with their latest foldable devices. Apple acknowledges that the protective layer on the inner display may require replacement over time. Under the AppleCare program, this service costs 19 US dollars in the United States, while the cost without insurance would likely be higher. A unique visual effect characterizes the opening animation. As the outer 5.5-inch screen unfolds, it appears as a glass pane through which the user views the inner 7.6-inch display. Symbols appear blurred during the transition, becoming sharp only when fully opened. This effect creates a sense of lifting a glass sheet, distinguishing the experience from simple toggling found in other foldables. Critics describe it as a computationally intensive gimmick, yet one that generates positive reactions due to its organic feel. Software adaptations address the wider aspect ratio of the outer screen. The status bar and dock have been moved to the right edge to accommodate more app icons, matching the capacity of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. A combined symbol replaces the traditional status bar functions, displaying battery, Wi-Fi, and cellular signal strength. Tapping this icon opens the Control Center, which closes with an animated return of its graphical elements. For left-handed users, reaching the new menu bar may present ergonomic challenges. The aspect ratio of the outer display mirrors that of the inner display, similar to how an A4 paper format scales. This allows media content to fill both screens completely without distortion, enabling seamless transitions between displays in apps like Netflix. During testing, daily software updates arrived to optimize popular applications. One example is Battlefleet Duo, a version of the classic game Battleship designed to utilize both halves of the large display simultaneously. The screen can angle freely, a feature that surpasses the fixed full-opening mechanism of Samsung’s Galaxy Fold 8. Accessibility features remain under development. The Reachability function, originally introduced with the iPhone 6 in 2014, is currently missing from the initial release of the Duo. According to reports, Apple plans to deliver this feature via a software update later this year. The update aims to allow users to access the top, left, and right edges of the screen with a fingertip, addressing the need for one-hand operation on the larger unfolded display. Currently, Reachability works only in portrait mode on existing iPhones and is disabled by default on models without a home button. The device also promises support for the Apple Pencil with a USB-C connector. Apple announced this compatibility at launch, stating it would arrive via a software update within the current year. Early reviews have praised the hardware build quality, the nano-texture coating, and battery endurance, while deducting points for weight and the lack of optimized apps at launch. The combination of premium pricing and reduced camera capabilities positions the iPhone Duo as a specialized product requiring careful consideration from potential buyers accustomed to flagship specifications.