iPhone Duo Review: First Generation Fun!

Video summary

Apple’s $2,000 iPhone Duo pairs a polished foldable experience with first-gen flaws: extra weight, missing Face ID, and apps that need updates.

After a week and a half with Apple’s first foldable, the reviewer calls the $2,000 iPhone Duo polished at the edges but rough at its core. Its hinge, clever opening animations, IP68 rating, and 7.6-inch 120Hz OLED inner display impress; a roughly 4,900 mAh battery lasts all day. But the phone is thick and heavy compared with Samsung’s Z Fold 8, lacks Face ID, and its under-display selfie camera disappoints. The dual 48-megapixel rear cameras are capable but lack zoom and Pro video features. At launch, many popular apps look awkward or undersized on the expanded screen, though updates are beginning to arrive. The strongest use cases are two apps side by side, half-open StandBy mode, and seamless transitions between displays. The verdict: most everyday iPhone users and filmmakers should skip it, but buyers drawn to a pocketable iPad mini may enjoy this fun, imperfect first generation.

Chapters

1. 0:00Intro: MKBHD says the iPhone Duo is polished around the edges but rough in the middle
2. 1:13First Generation: The Duo follows 2019 foldables but uses its opening animation to explain the display
3. 3:21The Hardware: Curved glass, a variable hinge, and IP68 protection make the Duo feel premium
4. 4:51The Hardware: The Duo’s weight recalls the Pixel Fold as Samsung’s Z Fold 8 is over 20% lighter
5. 6:59The Hardware: 7.6-inch nanotexture display shines, but the selfie camera disappoints
6. 10:09The Hardware: 4,900mAh battery, A20 Pro efficiency, and practical camera modes
7. 14:18The Apps Situation: Unoptimized launch apps, buggy transitions, and delayed fingerprint unlocks
8. 20:02What It’s Good At: Split-screen multitasking, StandBy, and polished continuity
9. 25:11Conclusion: MKBHD calls the $2,000 iPhone Duo fun but recommends most users pass

What the full analysis includes

9 chapters · 47 key points · 9 section summaries · mind map

The remaining 44 key points, section summaries and mind map are in the full analysis. Analyze this video to see everything →