Verge staffers react to the iPhone Duo: What we love and don’t love
Apple has unveiled its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, prompting The Verge's staff to share their first impressions. The device features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner screen, dual rear cameras, Touch ID, an IP68 water-resistance rating, and software tweaks designed to adapt iOS to the folding form factor. Preorders open on 16 October, with availability from 23 October, starting at $1,999 for the 256GB model. Reactions from staff were mixed, balancing enthusiasm for the design against concerns about price and durability.
– Some praised the "Duo" name as fitting Apple's naming conventions, citing its dual screens and cameras – The $1,999 starting price was widely flagged as a barrier to purchase, even among enthusiastic staff – Apple Pencil support was seen as a potential replacement for the iPad Mini – One writer felt torn, wanting the larger screen but reluctant to sacrifice telephoto camera quality – The new 1.4:1 aspect ratio was highlighted as potentially reshaping content creation, rivalling TikTok's format – The slim, "passport" shape won over a staffer who had been unconvinced by Samsung's bulkier foldables – Concerns were raised about a visible crease appearing on the folding screen over time
In short
- Apple's iPhone Duo foldable launches 23 October from $1,999
- Verge staff praise the design but flag the high price
- Some worry about screen creasing and camera trade-offs
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The iPhone Duo’s slim, passport-like design and larger inner screen could make a foldable more practical for everyday use, while Pencil support and new software features may broaden what it can do. Its unusual aspect ratio could also encourage new ways to create and watch content, and the dual-screen design gives the name a clear rationale.
The case against
At $1,999, the Duo may be out of reach for many buyers, even if its design is appealing. Questions about long-term crease visibility and the possible loss of telephoto camera quality also make the trade-offs harder to justify, particularly for people who would rather buy a separate tablet or a conventional phone.
Explained simply
Foldable phones use a hinge to open from a compact handset into a larger screen. Apple’s iPhone Duo joins a market that already includes foldable models from companies such as Samsung, and adapts its iOS software to work across its two screens.
The design could make a phone more useful for reading, drawing and watching or creating video, while Apple Pencil support may appeal to people who want a small tablet. Its shape and camera features also involve trade-offs that may matter differently to different users.
At $1,999, the Duo costs far more than many phones, and buyers may also weigh how well a folding screen holds up over time. Its reception offers an early indication of what excites potential users and what concerns they have about foldable phones.
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