The Verge went hands-on with the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable phone, right after its launch event. Reporters found it definitely feels like something different. The inner screen has a matte finish that handled glare well. The folding mechanism is smooth.
The phone carries an IP68 rating, meaning it resists dust and water, which is rare for foldables. The crease down the middle of the screen is almost invisible. After years of waiting, early impressions suggest Apple has delivered a polished first foldable.
π The Backstory
Apple long said it would only build a foldable when the technology was good enough. Samsung and other brands have sold foldables for years, but early models suffered from fragile screens, visible creases and weak water resistance. Engineers had to invent flexible glass and stronger hinges.
Software also had to adapt, letting apps work on both small and large screens. At $1,999, with preorders from October 16 and sales from October 23, the Duo is Apple's boldest bet yet. If it works well, it could make folding phones a normal choice instead of a niche gadget.
π― Why It Matters
The Duo will decide whether folding phones go mainstream. If Apple's version is durable and enjoyable, rivals and app makers will follow its lead. For shoppers, it is a preview of the next decade of phones and a test of what $1,999 can buy.
The Verge went hands-on with the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable phone, right after its launch event. Reporters found it definitely feels like something different. The inner screen has a matte finish that handled glare well. The folding mechanism is smooth.
The phone carries an IP68 rating, meaning it resists dust and water, which is rare for foldables. The crease down the middle of the screen is almost invisible. After years of waiting, early impressions suggest Apple has delivered a polished first foldable.
Apple long said it would only build a foldable when the technology was good enough. Samsung and other brands have sold foldables for years, but early models suffered from fragile screens, visible creases and weak water resistance. Engineers had to invent flexible glass and stronger hinges.
Software also had to adapt, letting apps work on both small and large screens. At $1,999, with preorders from October 16 and sales from October 23, the Duo is Apple's boldest bet yet. If it works well, it could make folding phones a normal choice instead of a niche gadget.
The Duo will decide whether folding phones go mainstream. If Apple's version is durable and enjoyable, rivals and app makers will follow its lead. For shoppers, it is a preview of the next decade of phones and a test of what $1,999 can buy.