I have a confession to make: When I first saw the iPhone Duo announced at September’s ‘Surprise and Shine’ keynote, I was happy to see Apple enter the foldable market, but I wasn’t completely sold on the device. My limited experience with various foldable Android devices has been positive, but it has always left me feeling like I’d rather pair a regular small phone with a mini tablet rather than have them together. So I participated in a brief hands-on demo of the iPhone Duo this week with quite a bit of skepticism. And of course, I’ll reserve all judgment for when Tom’s Guide can properly test and review the device, but three things immediately stood out to me after spending half an hour with Apple’s $1,999 phone. These were things you just don’t appreciate when looking at photos or videos of the device; you need to hold it in your hand to really appreciate them. And I’m not talking about the crease. Latest videos from Tom’s Guide The weight is perfect (Image credit: Tom’s Guide / Jeff Parsons) In an effort to make foldable phones as thin and light as possible when folded, I’ve noticed that they sometimes feel too flimsy when unfolded. A case in point is last year’s Oppo Find N5, which is the foldable I’ve spent the most time with and measures just 4.21mm when open (8.93mm thick when folded) and weighs 229 grams (8.07 ounces). The iPhone Duo, by comparison, measures 5.2 mm when open and weighs 254 grams (8.96 ounces). If your first instinct is to cringe and recoil because thinner and lighter is always better, then I’m here to tell you that’s not the case when you hold the device in your hand. You May Like Part of the reason I like using a tablet is that there is a certain degree of weight and bulk you can hold on to when you read, draw, or watch something. Not enough to make your arm hurt, of course, but enough to make you feel like you’re holding something that doesn’t break in half. The iPhone Duo strikes that balance perfectly, and it was very reassuring the moment I picked it up from the viewing table. The matte screen moves (Image credit: Tom’s Guide / Jeff Parsons) I’m not going to talk about the crease (yes, there is one, and yes, you can see it if you look closely) or the animation, but what was really interesting about the Duo’s internal screen was the nanotexture finish. It gives you this epic level of matte quality that Apple says is scratch resistant and 40 percent stiffer than the competition. Subscribe to Tom’s iGuide weekly newsletter With coverage on everything from product launches to software updates, this is your go-to source for the latest updates on Apple’s best content. My use case for foldable phones is mostly about productivity; For my sins, I watch spreadsheets more than Netflix movies while traveling, and the Duo’s internal screen is so easy on the eyes that I couldn’t help but feel like it would be perfect for this. The reflective glare of aggressive overhead lighting is expertly muted with this matte texture to improve readability and functionality. If you want to read e-books, or when using an Apple Pencil to draw or take notes, I’m convinced that the decision to use matte will make this a quality experience. It’s a fingerprint magnet (Image credit: Tom’s Guide / Jeff Parsons) Well, this isn’t exactly a positive point, but I need to do it anyway. The iPhone Duo comes in two shades: Star White and Night Sky. And this last one looked, at least to me, like a fingerprint magnet. In all of the images, you’ll likely see the finely polished Ceramic Shield back looking pristine. And it does… until you start pawing at it with greasy fingers. For what it’s worth, I didn’t notice this as much in the Star White colorway. What to read next It seems petty to dive into such a well-designed device for something so trivial, especially since Apple has achieved an IP68 protection rating. That means it’s safe against both water and dust and (like the weight example above) it really feels like a durable device in your hand. If you are one of the people who wraps your iPhone in a case anyway, then you can completely ignore this point. Conclusion (Image credit: Tom’s Guide / Jeff Parsons) Of course, there’s a lot more to unpack with the iPhone Duo when it hits the market in October. And I have more thoughts on things like camera performance and iOS 27 that I’ll write about when I have more time with it. But the above points were just what came to mind instantly the moment I read it. If you want more, read my colleague Mark’s in-depth hands-on experience with the Duo following his experience with it at Apple Park. But from my brief time with it, my conclusion is that Apple’s long-awaited entry into the foldable phone category has arrived in style. Everything from the feeling of closing it to the way the passport-style format fits in the palm of your hand is sublime. There’s certainly a high price of entry, but after using the iPhone Duo, I think a lot of people will be willing to pay it once they actually experience it in their own hands. Let me know what you think about the iPhone Duo in the comments below. Are you interested in trying one out or are you happy with a regular phone that isn’t foldable? I would love to hear from you. Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive our latest news, analysis and reviews in your feeds. More from Tom’s guide
