Apple Finally Joins the Foldable Phone Race
The new iPhone Duo costs nearly two thousand dollars and comes with software quirks that suggest the ecosystem is still catching up to the hardware.
By Marcus Johnson ·
Apple has finally entered the foldable smartphone market with a device that took seven years to arrive.
The iPhone Duo launches at a steep $1,999 price point, marking a significant departure from the standard iPhone design language. While the hardware has been refined in secret for several years, the software experience raises immediate questions for potential buyers. The device features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display, a form factor that is new to the brand. Because of this unique shape, many third-party applications have not yet been optimized. While Apple's own apps appear well-designed, popular services like Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp currently display as narrow strips with thick black bars on the sides. Even among the updated apps, interface elements can appear broken. Apple has also shifted navigation elements to the right rail instead of the traditional bottom center. Since the device is back-ordered for weeks, developers may have time to fix these issues before units reach customers.
The phone also drops Face ID in favor of Touch ID, a sensor located on the right side. This is the first time a flagship iPhone has used this technology, though it remains on the iPhone SE and other Apple devices. The move is likely due to the device's thin profile. The Dynamic Island remains, but it has been relocated to the top-right edge. Accessories present their own challenges. Although the phone supports MagSafe, the uneven weight distribution causes it to tip when unfolded on docks or tripods. Magnetic wallets also extend past the bottom edge due to the shorter frame, a problem for which Apple offers no official solution.
Photography capabilities are a standout feature. Users can take selfies using the superior rear cameras while previewing on the outer screen. A control allows the full camera app to appear on the outer display, disabling the inner screen to prevent accidental touches. Additional features include a preview mode for the subject and an animation mode for children. For multitasking, apps can be dragged to the sides of the inner screen to run side by side, and they can be locked as pairs in the recent apps menu.
Users must be careful with the inner display, which features a matte nano-texture finish that Apple considers integral to the device. Removing this finish could void the warranty. A damaged finish costs $19 in warranty and $49 out of warranty, while a cracked display costs $999 without AppleCare+. Software updates later this year will add Reachability and support for the USB-C Apple Pencil, though the stylus has no storage location on the device.
The launch of the iPhone Duo signals a shift in Apple's strategy, but the high cost and initial software struggles suggest a cautious start for the new category.
Source: Wired
