Apple’s first foldable phone is now on a fixed calendar: pre-orders start Friday, October 16th, and the iPhone Duo goes on sale October 23rd in about 70 countries, starting at $1,999. That timeline is doing as much work as the hardware. Stores already have demo units and Apple’s new hardware chief has invited the one fight foldable makers usually dodge.
Tom Marieb told interviewers that Apple should be held accountable if the crease becomes more visible over time.
Hold us accountable to that, please. The choice of a matte finish — apart from it being beautiful — is part of that equation. When you look at glossy displays, their specularity makes it very easy to pick up topology differences. That’s part of the reason we picked the matte finish — it’s not only beautiful in terms of preventing glare, but it’s also more forgiving of [topology] changes over time. – Tom Marieb, Apple VP of Hardware
The inner 7.6-inch panel uses a matte nano-texture that is meant to cut glare and disguise the fold line. The hinge, he said, was built to close with the weight of a luxury car door. That is marketing language with a warranty-shaped dare attached. Samsung has spent years living with crease photos. Apple is betting a finish, a hinge, and a public challenge will make the first iPhone fold feel finished rather than late.
MacDailyNews Take: Strong. Another nice quote from Marieb when discussing Ceramic Shield 2 durability:
Personally, when I see someone put a screen protector on their iPhone, it makes my skin crawl, because we work so hard to make beautiful front screens.
Can’t wait for iPhone Duo!
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Sorry to disappoint, but I put a screen protector on my iPhone. I buy an iPhone and keep it for 5 years. The screen protector has saved me from a bunch of cracks every time that I have fumbled with it and it went falling to the floor. . . or worse . . . onto concrete pavement. Besides, I once bought a used iPhone 14. The previous owner obviously didn’t ever use a screen protector because the glass was covered with tiny micro-scratches from surviving in the dude’s pocket with his keys, loose change, or whatever other paraphernalia that was in there.
I’ve had an iPhone since the 3G. I’ve never used a case or a screen protector. I just upgraded from a 12 Pro. Thus, my phones get years of use.
Yes, I put my iPhones into my pocket (99% of the time the right front pocket of my pants) and take it out of that pocket many times each day. No, I don’t keep keys or coins in that pocket, but sometimes cash bills. I don’t remember having problems with scratches on any of those phones.
I almost certainly won’t be getting a case or screen protector for this new phone. The ruggedness of the iPhones has always been good enough for me.