After a week and a half with the iPhone Duo, The Verge’s Dominic Preston judged its hardware competitive with Android foldables but found Android ahead in app behavior and multitasking during his review period. Some Duo apps were already receiving updates during that time, so the software assessment reflects that particular window.
The differences that matter in daily use
CNET’s comparison of the iPhone Duo and the standard Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 lists these specifications and results:
| Attribute | iPhone Duo | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 |
| Cover display | 5.4-inch OLED, 2,342 × 1,080, 120Hz | 5.5-inch AMOLED, 1,972 × 1,248, up to 120Hz variable refresh rate |
| Inner display | 7.6-inch OLED, 2,670 × 1,878, 120Hz; 1.4:1 aspect ratio | 7.6-inch AMOLED, 2,448 × 1,848, up to 120Hz variable refresh rate; 4:3 aspect ratio |
| Weight | 254g | 201g |
| Thickness, open / closed | 5.2mm / 11.3mm | 4.5mm / 9.7mm |
| Rear cameras | 48MP wide and 48MP ultrawide | 50MP wide and 50MP ultrawide |
| Dust and water rating | IP68 | IP48 |
| Software listed | iOS 27 | Android 17 with One UI 9 |
| Battery remaining after CNET’s three-hour drain test | 84% | 86% |
The Duo is 53g heavier than the standard Fold 8, based on CNET’s listed weights. Preston also found the Duo’s weight noticeable in one-handed use. That is a tangible difference if you often hold a large phone for long stretches.
Both inner screens measure 7.6 inches diagonally, but their resolutions and aspect ratios differ. A matching diagonal does not make them identical viewing surfaces. The ratings differ, too: the Duo is listed as IP68 and the Fold 8 as IP48.
CNET’s three-hour battery-drain test ended with 84% remaining on the Duo and 86% on the Fold 8. Those figures describe that review’s test, rather than a general battery-life ranking.
US starting prices for the 256GB models
CNET lists these US starting prices for the two 256GB configurations:
| Model and storage | CNET-listed US starting price |
| iPhone Duo, 256GB | $1,999 |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, 256GB | $1,900 |
The listed starting prices differ by $99. CNET’s comparison also gives higher starting prices for larger storage tiers: $2,199, $2,599 and $3,199 for the Duo at 512GB, 1TB and 2TB; and $2,100 and $2,500 for the Fold 8 at 512GB and 1TB.
Apps and multitasking
Preston describes a specific weakness in the Duo’s app experience: some apps that had not been adapted to its inner screen left a black strip for the right-side control rail or used only part of the display. He also saw app updates improving some cases during his review. Google Maps was one example of an update that used the display edge to edge.
The Duo’s built-in split-screen runs two apps at once, in landscape orientation, with each occupying half the screen. Preston cites different approaches on other Android foldables: the Oppo Find N6 supports floating windows, while the Xiaomi 18 Fold can show up to six apps side by side. Those examples belong to those specific models, not to every Android phone or to the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8.
If several apps on screen at once are part of your routine, compare the multitasking tools on the exact foldable you’re considering; the six-app example is specific to Xiaomi 18 Fold.
Inner-screen finish and crease
The Duo’s inner screen has a matte nano-texture finish. Preston says it reduces reflections and makes the crease harder to see. His crease comparison puts the standard Fold 8 ahead of the Duo; CNET reaches the opposite judgment, saying the Duo’s crease is harder to spot. The reviewers offer different visual assessments, not a shared measurement.
Which one fits your priorities?
If you want a foldable that runs iOS, the Duo keeps you in Apple’s software ecosystem. Its reported trade-offs include greater weight than the standard Fold 8 and a two-app split-screen limited to landscape orientation.
If you already use Android and multitask across several apps, Preston’s examples point to more flexible layouts on the Oppo Find N6 and Xiaomi 18 Fold. For a direct comparison with the Duo, CNET’s standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 figures give a lighter device and a $99 lower US starting price for the 256GB configuration.
