Apple launches iPhone Duo with premium pricing and mixed reviews
Apple introduced the iPhone Duo, a folding smartphone starting at $1,999. The device features a new form factor and Touch ID, drawing mixed reviews on durability and price.
Apple launched the iPhone Duo, a folding smartphone, starting at $1,999 for the lowest storage configuration. The device features a smaller, passport-style front screen and a larger unfolded display, with Touch ID on the side power button replacing Face ID. M.G. Siegler, who tested the device for over a week, praised its build quality, typing experience, and multi-app side-by-side functionality, contrasting it favorably with previous Pixel Fold and Samsung foldables. He noted that while reviews have been mixed and some users report screen cracking issues, CNET stress tests of over 20,000 folds showed no failures.
The device is positioned as a premium status symbol, particularly in markets like China, where Apple has secured a localized Siri AI partnership with built-in censorship. Siegler predicts the foldable form factor will become the standard smartphone design within five to ten years, serving as a hub for other connected devices. He argued that the iPhone Duo is one of the best iPhones Apple has ever made and represents the future of smartphone design, despite its high price and weight.