Apple’s latest iPhone Duo emerges as one of the most exhilarating innovations in nearly a decade, yet it is advisable for the majority to hold off on a purchase — at least for the time being.
I’ve spent the past week exploring Apple’s inaugural foldable device, set to debut this Friday, and it undeniably elicits an “oh wow” reaction.
Even my mother-in-law showed interest in cradling it. Friends, who typically remain indifferent to technology upgrades, were similarly intrigued.
Following years of iterative advancements—faster processors and marginally enhanced cameras—it’s invigorating to witness Apple embracing a novel approach, despite Samsung and Motorola having ventured into foldable phones long ago. Apple’s iPhone Duo is the most exciting iPhone in nearly a decade. But most people should hold off.
Consumer enthusiasm is palpable as well. Within hours of pre-orders opening on October 16, delivery dates on Apple’s online platform pushed back to January, reflecting “extraordinary” demand according to the company.
However, this surge in interest is not merely a matter of consumer excitement. Bloomberg’s tech columnist Mark Gurman disclosed that Apple anticipated supply constraints yet proceeded with a global launch.
Reports from TechSpot indicated that production yields are approximately 60 percent, implying that four out of ten units manufactured failed to meet Apple’s stringent quality standards.
This presents a somewhat precarious commencement for Apple CEO John Ternus, as his inaugural product launch is marred by extended delivery times for eager customers.
In its folded form, the Duo resembles a passport more than a smartphone: shorter and wider than a conventional iPhone, featuring a 5.4-inch external display. It feels exquisite in hand, offering a comfortable grip.
However, those searching for Face ID will not find it here; Apple has reverted to Touch ID integrated into the power button, a feature I regretted missing more than I anticipated.
One significant drawback is its heft. Weighing in at 254 grams, the Duo is heavier than a standard iPhone and exceeds the weight of the taller iPhone 18 Pro Max, which is 249 grams. This added density can be quite noticeable in pockets.
When unfolded, users are greeted by a 7.6-inch display, slightly smaller than an iPad mini. Apple claims its matte finish diminishes glare and obscures the crease, but I found myself rarely using it. Typically, I would access the Duo four or five times during the day, while utilizing it closed close to 100 times.
The iPhone hasn’t felt this innovative since the iPhone X eliminated the home button in 2017. Nevertheless, many users will find a standard iPhone perfectly sufficient and significantly less expensive.
Challenges arise with applications. Apple’s categorizes them into three tiers: those designed expressly for the Duo utilize the entire inner screen, with controls strategically positioned to the side, while apps like Netflix and Slack fit neatly.
The next tier occupies the majority of the display, while older apps languish in the center, surrounded by black space. Even when scaled up, they often lose clarity in my trials.
Multitasking proves inadequate; users can only run two applications side by side, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 accommodates three, in addition to floating windows.
That said, advancements are unfolding rapidly. Throughout my week with the Duo, applications like Facebook, Instagram, and Threads were all revamped to optimize performance on the expansive display.
However, essential news apps, AFL, banking applications, and public transport tools are still lagging. With a significant portion of daily-used apps unprepared for the Duo, the experience of unfolding the device often feels unjustified.
You can run only two apps side by side, while Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 runs three, plus floating windows.
Where the Duo excels is during transit. On a three-hour flight to Cairns for a family excursion to Port Douglas, my toddler and I reveled in snippets of Finding Nemo on the vivid inner screen, which astounded with its clarity.
During the flight, the battery life withered only 10 percent.
The result is mirrored during my commute home, where streaming Netflix or the NBA on the Duo is vastly superior to a conventional smartphone. This functionality represents its crowning achievement: a tablet that conveniently folds into your pocket.
Battery longevity is impressive. Typically, I’d retire for the night with around half a charge remaining, requiring no plugging in until lunchtime the following day, yielding a day and a half of usage between charges.
However, prospective buyers should not choose the Duo for its camera capabilities. While decent, its performance pales in comparison to Apple’s Pro models.
Zoom functionality is capped at 2x, and it lacks the variable-aperture main camera featured on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
Most of the time, this limitation didn’t raise issues, but at the zoo, my attempts to photograph distant wildlife fell surprisingly short when compared to what I was seeing with the naked eye.
The Duo does boast one unique feature absent in other iPhones: Kid Cue displays animations on the outer screen to attract young children towards the lens, successfully capturing my toddler’s gaze directly at the camera.
Yet, for photography aficionados, the Pro Max remains the superior choice and is significantly more economical.
As for pricing, the Duo begins at $3,499 for the 256GB model, soaring to $5,899 for the 2TB version—the highest price Apple has ever attached to an iPhone.
At every storage increment, this translates to an astounding $1,200 more than the comparable Pro Max, while Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 commences at $2,699.
Under Apple’s Afterpay financing plan, the base model Duo costs approximately $146 per month over two years, with about $50 of that reflecting the price of the folding mechanism.
Additionally, it operates on eSIM only, making it essential for users with traditional SIM cards to verify their carrier’s compatibility. A demonstration of Apple’s iPhone Duo at Apple Park in Cupertino, California on September 19.
So, who is this device intended for? I have a profound affection for this phone, marking the first time the iPhone has felt so revolutionary since the iPhone X, which eliminated the home button in 2017. Nevertheless, the majority will find satisfaction in a regular iPhone at a considerably lower price.
Those who travel often or enjoy lengthy commutes will undoubtedly glean the most value from it. Artists and note-takers will find it beneficial as well, with support for the Apple Pencil set to debut later this year, albeit exclusively for the less expensive USB-C variant, and lamentably without an attachment point on the device.
Regardless, I’d advise waiting for the second-generation model, when app optimization and functionality are expected to improve significantly.
I firmly believe the Duo will find its market; however, skepticism remains regarding its necessity for everyone, or whether foldables will surpass the standard smartphone form factor.
Ultimately, while the Duo presents itself as an exciting supplementary option, the conventional iPhone remains the indisputable star of the show.
The writer was loaned an iPhone Duo by Apple.
Source link: Theage.com.au.
