How to evaluate Apple's foldable iPhone Duo

TL;DR

The iPhone Duo uses a 5.4 inch outer screen and a 7.6 inch inner screen, making it resemble a compact iPad when open. It aims to improve multitasking with two pane layouts and has a matte display to reduce creases, but its price and durability will shape long term value.

Transcript

There's a new iPhone that unfolds. The iPhone Duo, when closed, is a little smaller than a Pop-Tart and about the same size as a passport and a sponge and banana for scale. I'm here at Apple Park with pretty much everyone else from the entire internet to see one of the biggest changes to the iPhone ever. I had to fight a guy to get my hands on this... Read More

Key Insights

• Outer and inner screen sizes are 5.4 inches and 7.6 inches respectively, defining the device’s unfolded footprint.
• The inner display uses a matte texture to minimize crease visibility, which is a key selling point of the Duo.
• The device does not use Face ID; the power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor.
• The rear camera setup includes wide and ultra wide lenses, with no telephoto lens mentioned in the video.
• The front camera sits behind the display and only becomes visible during selfies or FaceTime calls.
• Battery life is described with claimed numbers of up to 31 hours on the inner display and 44 hours on the outer display for video playback.
• The price is referenced as starting around 2000 dollars, highlighting affordability concerns for a folding phone.
• Software is described as foldable friendly with multitasking and two pane layouts that adapt to the device angle.]
• The video includes a sponsor segment with Mercury, as well as a focus on how the device compares in real world use to traditional smartphones.

Questions & Answers

Q: How big is the iPhone Duo when closed and how does it compare to common objects?

When closed the Duo is described as a little smaller than a Pop Tart, about the same size as a passport and a sponge, and scales to a comparable size with a kitchen sponge in some comparisons. The speaker emphasizes that it is compact enough to fit in typical pockets while remaining a folded form factor that users can carry easily. This helps set expectations for portability compared to bulkier foldables and larger tablets.

Q: What is the purpose of the matte inner screen and how does it affect user experience?

The matte inner screen is highlighted as a key feature because it minimizes crease visibility and feels premium to touch. The reviewer notes that the larger inner display has a perceptually flat matte texture, which reduces the visual prominence of the crease when the device is opened and used in tablet mode. This improves the viewing experience and overall perception of quality.

Q: Does the iPhone Duo support Face ID or how is security handled?

The Duo does not use Face ID according to the video. Instead, the power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor, providing a different biometric authentication method. This setup affects how users unlock the device and access secure apps, offering a hardware-based security option integrated into the side button.

Q: What cameras are available on the device and how is the front camera implemented?

There are two rear cameras on the back of the device, a wide and an ultra wide lens, with no telephoto lens mentioned. The front camera is embedded behind the display and only appears when taking selfies or using FaceTime, reappearing as a visible camera element during those activities and remaining hidden in normal use.

Q: How does multitasking work on the iPhone Duo and what is its software experience?

Multitasking on the Duo works similarly to an iPad style experience with two pane layouts designed for the larger screen. The software adapts to the angle of the device, and Apple has redesigned apps to support the bigger display. This enables running Safari and Messages side by side without constant app switching, improving productivity on a foldable phone.

Q: What is stated about the iPhone Duo as a phone and its call quality?

The speaker tests the Duo as a phone by making a call to a contact, illustrating that the device can function as a phone when needed. While the video focuses on overall hardware and software, the test call demonstrates practical voice call capability and stabilization in a foldable format, addressing core phone functionality.

Q: What are the claimed battery life figures and how are they differentiated by display mode?

Battery life is presented with two distinct figures: up to 31 hours of video playback when using the inner display and up to 44 hours when using the outer display. These numbers are cited to illustrate that the foldable design can balance heavy inner screen usage with a more extended life when closed and used as a smaller device.

Q: What is the perceived value and price point of the iPhone Duo as discussed in the video?

The video notes that the price starts at around 2000 dollars, signaling a premium position within the folding phone market. The speaker expresses mixed feelings about the value, indicating that the high cost might limit adoption despite the novelty and potential for enhanced multitasking, especially until longer term testing is completed.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video highlights the Duo as a rare foldable iPhone option with a significantly larger inner display and a smaller outer display, emphasizing pocketable size and multitasking potential while noting the tradeoffs in price and durability.

• The reviewer focuses on display quality, hinge design, and a camera system that is embedded behind the display for selfies, along with a tailored software experience that supports multitasking on the larger screen.

• Overall, the video presents initial impressions that the Duo feels new and sturdy, but it questions whether the price and practical benefits justify adoption until longer term battery and durability tests are completed.