Apple’s debut foldable, the iPhone Duo, has drawn enthusiastic responses from early reviewers who highlight its refined hardware, nearly invisible crease, capable performance, and versatile dual-screen experience. Critics describe it as a mature first-generation effort that makes the foldable form factor feel more approachable and compelling for iPhone users.
In his WIRED review, Julian Chokkattu called the device “an astonishingly good first foldable,” praising the hardware polish that sets it apart from earlier foldables. “The infamous crease — where the phone folds — is hardly visible thanks to Apple’s display stack and clever use of a matte-finish nano-texture screen,” the review noted. The passport-style shape also earned high marks: “The wider, shorter ‘passport’ design feels better than what’s come before in this category. The 5.4-inch outer screen is still big enough to be useful, and the hinge glides open gracefully and stays put at various angles. The hardware feels polished.” Battery life stood out as well, with Chokkattu reporting strong real-world endurance that left plenty of charge by the end of the day, and optimized apps delivering a multitasking experience that was “chef’s kiss.”
PCMag awarded the iPhone Duo an Editors’ Choice and declared it the best foldable available. “The iPhone Duo overcomes Apple’s late start by delivering the best hardware, performance, and battery life of any foldable phone on the market,” the review stated. Reviewer Eric Zeman highlighted the combination of titanium construction, dual displays, and the A20 Pro chip: “Combining refined titanium hardware with customized software, Apple’s first foldable phone delivers two phenomenal displays, category-leading battery life, and rock-solid performance thanks to its A20 Pro processor.” The hinge received particular acclaim — “The hinge feels utterly fantastic. You’d never know this is a first-generation device” — leading to the conclusion that iPhone users eyeing foldables can “safely ignore” the competition, as the Duo is “easily the best folding phone you can buy today.”
Mashable’s Stan Schroeder gave the phone a 4.5 out of 5 and labeled it “the most interesting iPhone since the first one.” “Apple’s iPhone Duo is an exciting new type of iPhone that proves the foldable form factor isn’t a novelty,” the review said, adding that “after a week with the iPhone Duo, I’m happy to report that Apple has done an amazing job.” Schroeder emphasized the immersive inner display — “That inner display, once you open it, is the nicest phone display I’ve ever seen” — and noted that the crease is “invisible unless you specifically look for it.” The form factor and software opened new ways of working and playing, leading to the personal verdict that “a week in, and I already feel like I couldn’t go back to the regular, non-foldable iPhone,” with the device ranking as “by far the best foldable phone I ever used” as a first effort.
MacDailyNews Take: These reviews show that Apple’s revolutionary iPhone Duo prioritizes durable, refined hardware and a thoughtfully adapted iOS experience, making Cupertino’s first foldable the immediate leader of the foldable smartphone category.
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