The first reviews of the iPhone Duo were published today, offering an early look at Apple’s first foldable ahead of its launch on Friday. Reviewers describe a device that is expensive and compromised in places, yet enjoyable and promising as a first-generation product.
Performance and thermal design of the iPhone Duo
Reviewers noted the iPhone Duo shares the A20 Pro chip with the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max: a 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engine. Benchmarking across three Geekbench 7 runs returned averages of 4,002 single-core and 10,728 multi-core, with a GPU test score of 60,608—nearly identical to the iPhone 18 Pro. Comparatively, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 scored 3,112 single-core, 10,438 multi-core and 17,331 on the GPU test. One reviewer calculated the Z Fold 8 to be about 22% lower on single-core performance and roughly 71% less powerful on the GPU.
A dedicated vapor chamber in the Duo, while smaller than the one in the iPhone 18 Pros, was credited with helping cooling; Apple says it provides up to 35% higher sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro. Reviewers reported no material slowdown in typical use and found the device responsive under sustained load.
Design trade-offs and everyday use
Some reviewers summarized the Duo as “expensive, full of compromises, and yet fun.” They described moments of frustration—switching back to a standard slab iPhone sometimes felt like a relief for getting things done quickly—while also noting the device’s novelty and potential, comparing its early-stage status to previous first-generation Apple products.
On unlocking and authentication, reviewers highlighted the return to Touch ID rather than Face ID. One reviewer said switching from Face ID to Touch ID was the hardest adjustment, though Touch ID was praised for quick, reliable use and for working well when the phone lies flat. The Duo also supports Apple Watch unlock; enabling that feature allows the phone to unlock automatically when the user’s Apple Watch is worn, unlocked and protected by a passcode.
Displays, camera layout and daily workflows
Reviewers described the Duo’s 5.4-inch outer cover screen as compact but not cramped, suitable for short tasks like texting, checking email, ordering rides or taking photos. The cover keyboard was reported as roomy and easy to type on. For longer or more involved tasks—editing documents, watching videos, multitasking—reviewers preferred opening the 7.6-inch inner display. The inner display’s matte finish was noted as easier on the eyes, including outdoors, and the under-display FaceTime camera was said to make content feel more immersive because it is virtually invisible when not in use.
On cameras, the Duo is equipped with two rear 48-megapixel sensors: Fusion Main and Fusion Ultra Wide. The device does not include a Telephoto camera. A photography-focused review and additional photographer video coverage were published alongside the broader reviews.
App support and software considerations
Several reviewers warned that many third-party apps are not yet optimized for the Duo’s inner display and appear letterboxed with large black bars on the left and right. One reviewer advised waiting a few months for developers to optimize their apps; by then, more apps are expected to have been recompiled with the iOS 27.1 SDK.
Battery life and comparison
In a standardized web-browsing battery test (150 nits, 5G, until the battery dies), the iPhone Duo lasted 13 hours and 20 minutes. For comparison in the same test, the Galaxy Z Fold8 lasted 10 hours and 6 minutes, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max ran for 17 hours and 31 minutes.
Reviewers noted that some customers ordering the Duo may face delivery waits, with pre-order dates stretching into November to January for some orders, though some deliveries were bumped up for others.
Overall, early reviewers portrayed the iPhone Duo as an intriguing but imperfect first attempt: a high-performing, enjoyable foldable with clear compromises in software optimization and some design trade-offs that will likely evolve in future iterations.
