iPhone Duo Draws Android Interest as Apple Stores Plan Personalized Setup Surprise

The iPhone Duo costs $1,999 and has a near-creaseless display and what Android Authority called interesting software tricks. It arrives years after other companies entered the foldable market, but Android Authority said it has impressed some of its staff, while others still prefer Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8. The publication put the question of switching sides to its readers in a poll that appeared in an opinion piece by Dhruv Bhutani. Bhutani explained why the iPhone Duo might finally persuade him to abandon Android after 15 years. He was particularly taken with the phone's wide design, almost invisible crease, and polished software experience, and said he felt Apple had delivered the complete foldable package he had been waiting for. The cameras are a compromise he is willing to make, though he wants to try the phone before parting with $2,000. The poll sought to find how many readers shared his enthusiasm.

According to Gurman, Apple retail stores will have a system to customize the boot of the device, allowing the iPhone Duo to display a greeting containing the buyer's name when it is turned on for the first time. Gurman said the feature will be exclusive to the iPhone Duo and will support both English and Spanish. It is not clear how Apple will implement the feature or whether it will rely on Presto, the system Apple Stores already use to wirelessly update iPhones without removing them from their boxes. Gurman first reported Presto in 2023. The system allows Apple retail employees to turn on an iPhone, install software updates, and turn it off again while the device remains sealed in its packaging.

The iPhone Duo will be available to pre-order starting Friday, October 16, with deliveries and in-store availability beginning October 23. Apple recently announced that customers will be able to get ready for iPhone Duo pre-orders beginning October 12.