The iPhone Duo has arrived, marking Apple’s long-awaited entry into the foldable market. The smartphone industry had been urging the company to produce a folding iPhone ever since the concept first gained traction some seven years ago. While there is plenty to appreciate about the device, and the arrival of foldables into the mainstream is a welcome development, one aspect of the handset departs from a principle Apple has long held dear.
At the heart of the concern is user experience. Apple products have traditionally been defined by their uniformity, and the iPhone Duo introduces a notable inconsistency that sits awkwardly within that tradition.
An inconsistent viewing experience
Consistency has long been the hallmark of Apple’s product lineup. Customisation is limited, iOS and the company’s other operating systems exist solely on Apple hardware, and the Apple ecosystem is frequently promoted as the most cohesive one a user can join. The interaction between an iPhone 18 Pro, an iPad and a MacBook Air is intended to feel seamless, and even using someone else’s Apple device is designed to be quick and straightforward.
The iPhone Duo only became viable once Apple applied its nano-texture coating to a folding display. It is not identical to the coating offered on a MacBook, but it achieves a comparable result. This was Apple’s best-kept secret for the foldable. Greg “Joz” Joswiak noted that the company was pleased it had managed to keep the detail hidden, even though the passport-style aspect ratio had leaked ahead of launch.
The nano-texture coating conceals the crease exceptionally well. Apple had originally hoped to source a display with no crease at all, but was unable to do so, making this the next best option. It is also the source of the inconsistency.
Picking up the device presents a striking external display that is sharp and vibrant, in keeping with expectations of Apple hardware. Opening the handset changes the picture entirely. The colours appear muted, the sharpness softens and the contrast that made the outer screen so appealing is diminished. Within a single device, two very different experiences are on offer, and content viewed on the external display does not retain the same polish once the phone is unfolded.
Comparison with rival foldables
In an interview, Joswiak and chief executive John Ternus stated that the displays on rival foldable flagships felt flimsy and unpleasant to use. The inner displays on Samsung’s Galaxy foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8, do not feel like rigid glass, yet have consistently delivered a pleasant experience.
The distinction between the glossy outer display and the matte inner display of the iPhone Duo was highlighted shortly after the device became official, underscoring the difference in finish between the two screens on the same handset.
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Image: phonearena.com
