The iPhone has been my go-to smartphone since the advent of the second-generation model, the iPhone 3G. This lengthy relationship has allowed me to observe the evolution of this iconic device closely, both personally and professionally.
In recent times, I have come to terms with the notion that an iPhone Pro may not be the ideal choice for my needs; a standard model would suffice for everyday functionality.
My desire for a device boasting an expansive display paired with a more compact form factor led me eagerly to the long-speculated foldable iPhone.
Consequently, the decision to acquire the iPhone Duo was almost inevitable, prompting my purchase on its inaugural sales day after a failed pre-order attempt for a launch-day delivery.
Since that moment, I have been utilizing the iPhone Duo with no intention of returning it. Although I fortunately dodged the notorious “Crackgate” controversy, my transition to the iPhone Duo was fraught with challenges.
The quirks of the foldable design became particularly palpable, especially for those who are migrating from traditional models.
Long-standing muscle memory from years of using iPhones can hinder adaptation to this new device. For example, I still find myself idly waiting for Face ID to unlock apps, fully cognizant of the absence of a 3D facial recognition camera.
This predicament is merely one of several frustrating idiosyncrasies I’ve encountered. Others encompass the software experience, the phone’s design affecting left-handed usability, Apple’s button configurations for the foldable, and its weight.
Interestingly, I am unfazed by certain criticisms levied against the iPhone Duo, such as the lackluster camera relative to the iPhone 18 Pro, the relocated Dock, or reports of overheating and an increasingly prominent crease.
The software
The software experience on the iPhone Duo ranks low on my list of concerns, as Apple has ample room for improvement in forthcoming updates.
While some initial users have expressed dissatisfaction regarding the lack of optimized applications tailored for the foldable display, I do not find this to be a critical issue.
Being a first-generation device, app compatibility is to be expected. Moreover, the Dock’s relocation to the right side of the handset represents an intelligent use of space, albeit requiring some acclimatization. The Dock, alongside the contextual menu that supplants it in applications, ultimately makes sense.
However, my most notable grievance regarding the iPhone Duo software pertains to Apple’s decision to forge a unique user interface distinct for the iPhone and iPad.
When folded, the Duo generally behaves akin to a typical iPhone. Upon unfolding, one anticipates a user experience more akin to a tablet.
Regrettably, Apple has opted not to facilitate an iOS-to-iPadOS transition, instead presenting a somewhat peculiar version of iOS 27, imbued with limited iPadOS features. This quirk becomes glaringly obvious for those of us who also utilize an iPad.
Additionally, the iPhone Duo is equipped with the same A20 Pro chip as the iPhone 18 Pro models, suggesting it could easily support the multi-window multitasking capabilities akin to the iPad mini housing the A17 Pro chip.
Nevertheless, Apple has withheld a comprehensive iPad-like Dock from the unfolded Duo. I frequently unfold the device to enjoy content on a larger canvas or to multitask effectively, yet a windowed user interface would vastly enhance productivity compared to the current constraining side-by-side two-app layout.
Even features like Stage Manager, which I find less than appealing, would prove useful in scenarios necessitating simultaneous information from multiple applications.
Pushing the Duo’s buttons
While I remain optimistic that Apple may address the software issues, certain features, such as button placements, cannot be rectified without a redesign.
(As for software functionalities, being an iPhone Duo user within the EU, I am also unable to access the complete iOS 27 experience, as the advanced Siri capabilities and the option to mirror the iPhone on my Mac are unavailable in this region.)
The absence of an Action button on the iPhone Duo signifies a considerable inconvenience, even for those who primarily use it to toggle the mute function.
Users accustomed to employing the Action button for advanced app controls or elaborate shortcuts will find its absence particularly irksome.
The inclusion of a Camera Control button, which I seldom utilize, only adds to the inefficiency. Frequently, I inadvertently press this button due to my method of handling the device one-handed.
It would be immensely beneficial if Apple permitted users to customize this Camera Control button to function as an alternative for the missing Action button, rendering it potentially useful.
Of all the button-related frustrations encountered since switching to the iPhone Duo, triggering screenshots has emerged as the most burdensome, given my habitual frequency of use.
Apple’s decision to relocate the volume buttons to the upper section of the handset serves as a design necessity but complicates screenshot capturing.
The proximity of the volume buttons to the power button in the top-right corner complicates the action, especially when executed one-handed.
Moreover, capturing screenshots in its unfolded state is decidedly less straightforward. A potential remedy involves customizing the Back Tap gesture to facilitate screenshots by tapping the rear of the device—though this may inadvertently lead to accidental captures, it remains a functional workaround.
Weight you can feel
The iPhone Duo fulfills my desire for an expansive display housed within a compact form factor. Primarily, I use this device in its folded state, which provides a wider and more manageable screen, ideal for application usage, scrolling through social media, and texting.
The ample display allows for dual-application usage, video streaming, reading, and standard browsing with Safari.
However, I never wished for a heavier device, yet the iPhone Duo’s weight, approximately 9 ounces, has become a palpable concern.
One becomes acutely aware of the iPhone Duo’s weight during one-handed use of the folded device; numbness emerges rather quickly, compelling me to set the phone down or necessitating more frequent breaks.
The silver lining may be that I might limit my smartphone usage, yet this does not alleviate the issue of weight. Comparatively, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, weighing merely 7 ounces, underscores the noticeable difference in weight.
I can only hope that future iterations of the Duo will prioritize weight reduction. For perspective, the iPhone 18 Pro weighs 7.4 ounces, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max approaches the Duo’s weight at 8.8 ounces.
Notably, when unfolding the device, the distribution of weight alters one’s perception—the Duo ceases to feel burdensome, especially when handled with both hands.
However, while running, the device’s weight becomes an additional concern; as a marathon runner, I have to ensure the iPhone Duo fits comfortably in my pockets.
This issue is compounded not only by its weight but also by its bulkiness. To safeguard against unintended drops, I utilize a protective case, which further exacerbates the space it occupies in compact pockets.
Left-hand use isn’t comfortable
For as long as I can recall, I have been accustomed to holding phones in my left hand, a practice I adopted long before Steve Jobs unveiled the original iPhone.
For nearly two decades, I have persistently utilized iPhones in this manner. I typically stash my device in my left pocket for swift retrieval.
Regrettably, the iPhone Duo presents considerable challenges for left-handed users—not solely due to the positioning of the Touch ID button, Camera Control button, and Dock on the right side of the device.
Adapting my right hand for the Dock has become part of the learning curve, while I’m also reprogramming my left hand’s third and fourth fingers for Touch ID usage.
The problematic design stems from the angular shape of the lower-left corner of the device when closed, which digs uncomfortably into my palm.
Coupled with the device’s weight, this issue becomes magnified. Despite attempting to mitigate the corner’s intrusion, comfort continues to elude me.
I’ve previously articulated similar grievances with certain Galaxy S Ultra designs characterized by sharp corners, a concern that Samsung has since addressed.
Users who favor their right hand may struggle to fathom the discomfort experienced, as they benefit from a more ergonomic curved lower-right corner.
Future iterations of the iPhone Duo may not rectify this issue, given the hinge’s left-side placement, inherently resulting in squared corners.
However, Apple could explore customizable options for left-handed users, perhaps allowing us to rotate the device by 180 degrees to position the top-right corner conveniently in the palm.
This adjustment could also accommodate the outer selfie camera in the lower-left corner of the device. Once unfolded, the user should be able to orient the iPhone Duo display freely, including the outer screen functionality.
The lack of Face ID
Of all the iPhone Duo’s quirks, the absence of Face ID remains my most significant annoyance. Whether unlocking the device, utilizing it single-handedly, or authenticating within apps outdoors, the void left by Face ID is palpable each day.
While the A20 Pro ensures seamless performance, the necessity of relying on Touch ID to authenticate within applications and on websites considerably slows my workflow.
I often find myself staring at the screen, anticipating authentication, only to realize that the prompt requests the fingerprint sensor. This continual misstep necessitates an adjustment period for my brain.
In the year leading up to the handset’s launch, I scrutinized rumors surrounding the dual displays, attempting to extrapolate the device’s dimensions based on its unconventional aspect ratio.
My estimations regarding the iPhone Duo’s height and width proved relatively accurate; however, I could never have anticipated its thinness.
Ultimately, the phone’s thickness (0.2 inches) should not impede the integration of Face ID, especially when considering the iPad Pro’s marginally greater thickness with integrated Face ID functionality.
It remains ambiguous whether Apple could have seamlessly incorporated a Face ID sensor into the iPhone Duo, given its more intricate design.
One might speculate that Apple prioritized battery size over Face ID functionality. Additionally, the prospect of employing two TrueDepth systems—one for each display—could have been deemed impractical.
I sincerely hope future iterations of the Duo will reintroduce Face ID for the outer display while retaining Touch ID for the folded experience— a significant enhancement.
Until that day arrives, I rely on my Apple Watch for quicker unlocking, though it does little to mitigate the myriad shortcomings stemming from the absence of persistent Face ID functionality.
Source link: Bgr.com.
