Introduction
iPhone Duo pre-orders kick off October 16th, so it’s only a matter of days before you can buy Apple’s first foldable phone. But if you’re on the fence about whether this device is worth $2,000, there are some pretty strong reasons to be an early adopter.
Looking past things like the lack of a telephoto camera and Face ID, or the heavier weight versus competing devices, here are the biggest reasons to get the iPhone Duo.
1. Two devices in one
The iPhone Duo is essentially like having a compact phone and tablet in one device. The 5.4-inch cover display is small enough to use with one hand but wide enough to type comfortably with two hands.
But the biggest reason to get the iPhone Duo is that 7.6-inch main display, which enables a much more immersive experience, whether you’re watching movies or shows, playing games or running two apps side by side.
The wide aspect ratio is great for binge watching or reviewing spreadsheets, but when you flip the device around to portrait mode, you get a taller ratio for doing things like surfing the web or reading ebooks.
Optimized Apps and Durability
Apple has highlighted apps that are truly optimized for a foldable experience, including Slack with a dual-pane layout, as well as Zoom for video calls.
The Netflix app also looks slick on both the cover display and the main display of the iPhone Duo with an immersive viewing experience, and a laptop-like mode for when you want to watch shows while doing other things.
Based on developer work behind the scenes, there will be a variety of third-party iPhone Duo apps available on day one.
3. Ultra durable
The iPhone Duo has a durability rating of IP68, which means that it’s water resistant and also dust resistant.
In addition, the iPhone Duo has a Grade 5 titanium frame and hinge cover, which is more durable than aluminum. Plus there’s a scratch-resistant coating on the inner display and Ceramic Shield on the front and back.
Multitasking and Software Modes
The iPhone Duo is the first iPhone that lets you run apps side by side with Split View. It is simple to launch a second app by swiping the app icon up and placing the app on the left or right side of the screen.
You can easily drag and drop content from one window to another, such as adding a photo to a text message, and run two instances of the same app like Safari.
5. Multiple Modes
Apple has designed the iPhone Duo with versatile use cases and multiple modes. For instance, if you set the iPhone Duo down with the inner display open you’ll see a Standby mode with a clock and digital photo frame. Put the Duo in tent mode and it instantly turns into an alarm clock.
The software adapts based on the position of the device and the angle of the display. The iPhone Duo also has a laptop-like mode for video calls, and certain apps display controls on the bottom and content up top.
Other foldables offer similar flexibility with their respective flex modes, but Apple's implementation provides unique software adaptability.
Display and Operating System
The nano-texture layer on the main display is made from a custom polymer rated to be 40% stiffer than other materials used on foldables, while significantly cutting down on glare and making the crease barely visible.
The trade-off is that some might find the nano-texture coating makes the display less glossy and vibrant.
7. Reimagined iOS for foldables
Apple redesigned the operating system to better fit the foldable design. Everything from the Lock Screen controls and the Dock on the Home Screen to app navigation now appears on the right side to make more room for content.
The status bar shows Wi-Fi, cellular strength, and battery status in a more compact area, adapting to how the device folds or turns on its side.
Performance and Photography
The A20 Pro chip provides fast benchmark performance, making the iPhone Duo a powerful foldable option.
Unlike some competing models, the iPhone Duo features a vapor chamber for cooling, supporting better sustained performance.
9. New ways to take photos
With Smart Take, you can prop up the iPhone Duo and it will automatically take photos as subjects are posing in the frame.
Duo Preview allows you to show a live preview of what you are shooting on the outer display so others can check the framing before you press the shutter, alongside taking selfies with the 48MP rear camera.
Bottom line
The iPhone Duo carries a $2,000 price tag, but thoughtful consideration has clearly been put into its design, software, durability, and app experiences for users entering the foldable market.
