Reviews paint Apple’s $1,999 iPhone Duo as a polished but heavy first foldable

The device is Apple’s biggest iPhone redesign since the iPhone X, and its first entry into a foldable market that Android rivals have occupied for years. Engadget called the Duo “a first-class foldable” while noting that it is heavy, expensive and late compared with those rivals. The Verge described it as “a messy, expensive, good time” and “an early adopter special,” saying it will delight gadget enthusiasts while likely frustrating everyone else.

The hardware centers on two displays. The outer screen is a 5.4-inch glossy OLED with a 1,878 x 2,670 resolution, 120Hz ProMotion and up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, according to Engadget. The inner screen is a 7.6-inch panel with a 1,398 x 2,034 resolution and a matte nano-texture finish. Both screens share a 1.4:1 aspect ratio, a wide, passport-like shape that departs from the taller foldables that have dominated the market.

The matte inner display drew the strongest praise. The Verge’s reviewer wrote that it is the best thing about the Duo and hoped other foldable makers would copy it, citing reduced glare on a plane and easier reading. Engadget said the finish helps hide reflections and the display crease, though the crease can still be felt and seen off-axis. The matte layer is replaceable for $49, Engadget reported, but it can be removed if picked at, and the setup process does not warn users against peeling it off.

Apple’s hinge also won favorable notices. 9to5Mac said the hinge is made from more than 100 components with variable torque, holds the phone at multiple angles for “seated” and “tent” modes, and feels smooth enough that the reviewer stopped thinking about it after a day. The frame is Grade 5 titanium, and the device carries an IP68 dust and water resistance rating. Instead of Face ID, the Duo uses a Touch ID sensor in the side button, a choice Engadget said makes sense on a device used in many positions.

Size and weight remain points of contention. 9to5Mac measured the Duo at 254 grams, five grams more than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, but said its shorter, wider body made it more comfortable to hold; one-handed use for long periods still tired the reviewer’s wrist. Closed, the phone is 11.3mm thick; open, it is 5.2mm. The Verge listed the weight, bulk, heat and “just OK” cameras among its drawbacks, while praising the device as fun to use.

The software experience is still catching up. The Verge said iOS apps remain largely portrait-oriented, while the Duo’s wide shape and dual screens push users to open the phone in tablet mode. Engadget said many apps still need fine-tuning to look their best. A separate report by Chinese tech site ifanr demonstrated a custom app that turns the Duo into a remote control for a Mac Studio running local AI models: closed mode shows agent status and approvals, half-folded mode shows execution logs and voice input, and open mode provides a two-column console.

Apple’s first foldable arrives with the polish and the rough edges of a first-generation product. Reviewers agreed that the inner screen and hinge are advances worth watching; they disagreed on whether the trade-offs in weight, size and app support make the Duo a mainstream phone or a preview of a form factor still to come.