iPhone Duo and iPad Mini compared ahead of October 23 launch

According to Engadget, the Duo's interface is very iPad-esque, with a similar screen size and better hardware. Dropping a tablet for a foldable phone brings advantages and disadvantages, particularly for complex or longform tasks. From what Engadget has seen, the Duo bridges the gap between the two technologies fairly competently. A new iPad Mini is rumored to arrive soon and reportedly brings tech specs more on par with the Duo. Because that model has not arrived, the comparison uses the most recent seventh-generation iPad Mini from 2024.

Price is one of the biggest deciding factors. The iPad Mini starts at $600 for the 128GB model and goes up to $900 for 512GB, while cellular-equipped models cost an extra $150. The Duo starts at $2,000 for 256GB and goes up to $3,200 for 2TB of storage. Engadget notes that a 256GB iPhone 18 Pro at $1,200 plus an iPad Mini would still cost less than a Duo. With such a gap, buyers should be certain they want an iPhone Duo and consider trying it in an Apple Store first.

On specs, the Duo comes out on top in processing power, with an A20 Pro chip versus the Mini's A17 Pro, a seven-core GPU compared with the iPad's five-core, and 12GB of RAM compared with eight. The Duo's camera is also substantially better, with both a 48-megapixel main lens and an ultra wide lens, compared with the Mini's 12-megapixel wide camera. Engadget says that camera advantage is not particularly compelling, because a buyer choosing an iPad over the Duo presumably has a phone with a better camera.

The iPad Mini wins in display size, with an 8.3-inch display compared with the Duo's 7.6-inch inner display. Both of the iPhone Duo's screens are ProMotion displays that reach up to 120Hz, while the iPad Mini's screen is 60Hz.

Software and accessory support also differ. Engadget reports that although the iPhone Duo's software is different from a normal iPhone, it is still not the same as iPadOS. At most, the Duo's OS can support an app on each half of the inner screen, while the iPad has much more robust multitasking. For Apple Pencil users, the Duo's compatibility is limited: it will support only the USB-C version of the device, not the Pencil Pro. That support also will not be there at launch and will arrive later in 2026, according to Engadget.

Engadget says the current iPad Mini has the upper hand only in screen size, the unique capabilities of iPadOS and better Pencil support. If two-screen multitasking is enough, the buyer does not use the Apple Pencil Pro and price is not an issue, then in theory the iPhone Duo is the choice. Still, Engadget says the true evolution of the Duo's crease will not become clear for a long time, so waiting to see how it fares may be best.

Not everything is answered by a side-by-side spec comparison. Engadget says a large part of what determines which device is better comes down to whether a buyer likes to separate their technology. For some people, an iPad is ideal for spending time locked in on a project or book without the many distractions that often come with a phone. It also means not draining the phone battery during long iPad sessions. Conversely, for someone who wants to switch quickly between a typical phone view and an expanded one, then just as quickly close it back up to make a phone call, the Duo is the way to go.