The iPhone Duo reviews are in: expensive, late, and winning

The embargo for iPhone Duo reviews has broken, which means dozens of reviews have appeared all at once. It’s like sitting in an empty office with all the phones ringing at the same time. No one can answer all of them.

So, what are reviewers saying about Apple’s new $2,000 product? What’s hot? What’s not? And what’s next?

Let’s begin with the criticisms. 

Almost every review I read is critical about the same things: the lack of a telephoto lens on the camera, the decision to use Touch ID, and lagging third-party software support for the device, with some criticism of the FaceTime camera. 

To be fair, one of those criticisms will change as developers build iPhone Duo support for their applications, while others will change in future versions of the device.

A convincing case for foldables

Reviewers seem to agree that Apple has plucked all the best ideas introduced in foldables so far and wrapped them in a highly designed, well-executed, luxurious product they think sets the scene for the next generation of foldable smartphones. As the history of most Apple product introductions shows, first-generation compromises will be overcome.

The iPhone Duo form factor itself, however, seems to be a success.

“For an iPhone user who has never experienced a foldable, I suspect they will be surprised by how quickly the larger display starts to feel useful,” wrote Francisco Jeronimo, IDC vice president, worldwide devices, in a note seen by Computerworld. “Apple has made a convincing case for this form factor. Now comes the next test: turning excitement into availability, adoption and a lasting new chapter for the smartphone market.”

Here’s what the first reviewers have to say

“Masterfully-designed”

“The iPhone Duo is a masterfully designed product that earns its two grand price tag. By borrowing the same aspect ratio as a notepad, it feels compact when folded and expansive when opened up to double in size. It’s crazy thin — just 5.2mm when folded flat — and littered with small design choices that add up to an overwhelming sense of luxury,” wrote Robert Leedham at GQ.

“Hype is justified”

“After a week of testing, I can say that hype is justified. Its polished design and thoughtful craftsmanship, headlined by a unique inner display and hinge design, set a new platinum standard for folding phones, and serve as a shot in the arm of the entire smartphone ecosystem. Needless to say, the Duo is the best foldable phone I’ve tested to date, and the freshest, flashiest phone I’ve used in years,” wrote Stefan Vazharov at Popular Mechanics. 

You may not need it

“If you want the convenience of a larger screen without carrying two devices, the Duo could be a compelling proposition. But if you prefer to use your phone and tablet separately, you’re paying a premium for a folding design you may not need,” wrote Shivali Best at the Daily Mail.

“An incredible piece of engineering”

“It’s hard to overstate just how impressive the whole thing feels in practice. The hinge feels fantastic, the smaller footprint makes it surprisingly easy to carry, and you can unfold it into a 7.6-inch display. It’s an incredible piece of engineering, and even after a week, I’m still impressed by how well the entire package comes together,” wrote Chance Miller at 9to5Mac.

“Satisfying“

“’Satisfying’ is the best way to describe the feeling of repeatedly opening and closing the iPhone Duo. It’s as if Apple inadvertently created a digital fidget spinner — the more I carried around the iPhone Duo, the more I found myself absentmindedly folding and unfolding the phone,” wrote Lance Ulanoff at TechRadar.

Cohesive. Intuitive. Useful

“Thoughtful software integrations … give the Duo’s unique design a practical purpose beyond the novelty. The result is a foldable experience that feels cohesive, intuitive and genuinely useful, which could help win over more people to foldables in general. But I think that broader appeal is still a ways off,” wrote CNET’s Abrar Al-Heeti.

“A little bit like magic”

“If you care about having the fanciest phone, this is the one. It’s a neat little book-like iPhone when folded. But that inner display, once you open it, is the nicest phone display I’ve ever seen. It’s matte and has a 120Hz refresh rate, so when you lay the unfolded Duo on a table, a still image on the display appears solid, like a painting… The transition effect Apple’s designers have conjured for opening and closing the phone does look a little bit like magic,” wrote Mashable’s Stan Schroeder.

“Strong and smooth”

“Early folding phones had creaky hinges that felt grindy and didn’t always open fully. Those pioneering devices led the way, to be sure, and they deserve credit for being first to market with those designs. But none of the four competing folding devices on my desk (all from 2026) have a hinge that feels this strong and smooth,” wrote PC Mag‘s Eric Zeman.

“Worth the wait”

“While the Duo is heavy, expensive and late to the market compared to its Android rivals, it encompasses some of the best tech used by its competitors while also redeeming features that other manufacturers have seemingly left for dead. And even though many apps still need to be optimized to fully take advantage of the Duo’s design, the release of Apple’s first foldable has been worth the wait,” said Engadget’s Sam Rutherford.

“Something magical”

“At the risk of sounding cliche, there’s something magical about using the iPhone Duo. The way it seamlessly transitions from phone to tablet and back again. The fact that you can’t even feel the crease — though it is visible. And the way the software reacts based on the angle of the device,” writes Mark Spoonauer at Tom’s Guide.

My take

Having read these reviews, I don’t think any of them will quell enthusiasm for Apple’s $2,000 device. I also think its introduction will help Apple create a mind shift among consumers, some of whom may recall when the $499 entry-level price Apple charged for the original iPhone was seen as too expensive. 

In this case, by combining premium hardware design with smart software decisions, Apple seems to have created an experience many consumers will value. Even those who don’t will probably spend time snapping the fold on the display units at their local Apple Store, if only to find out if doing so really is “satisfying” enough to spend two thousand bucks on a machine for doom scrolling and taking pictures of the family cat.

I believe Apple has reset the industry and will sell as many of these things as it is able to create. I also look forward to seeing what it comes up with next year. There’s only eleven months — and the many stages of new Apple product rumor — until we find out. That suggests the first well-timed Bloomberg rumor will slip just before Christmastime…

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