iPhone Duo Reviews Praise Matte Display and Multitasking

iPhone Duo reviews arrived on 21 October, two days before the foldable phone goes on sale, giving the first full picture of how Apple’s first folding iPhone works in daily use. The Verge and 9to5Mac each had the phone for about a week, and their reviews agree on several points. The inner display is the highlight: a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR screen with a matte nano-texture finish, which Apple says cuts glare and makes the fold harder to see. Reviewers say the matte finish reduces reflections and makes the central crease less noticeable during ordinary viewing, although it can be felt and can show on a white screen viewed at an angle. The outer display is 5.4 inches, and the phone starts at $1,999 for 256GB in the United States.

Multitasking is the main reason to choose the Duo, according to the reviews. Split View places two apps side by side on the inner display, which works well for tasks such as pairing a photo library with a messaging app, or reading a document while taking notes. CNN Underscored tester Mike Andronico, whose review was also published on 21 October, recommended that most buyers wait for software and app improvements, after a week of use. He found that some apps were not yet optimised for the foldable layout, with cramped designs and limited zoom, and that Split View worked only in landscape orientation, with occasional lag or a pane that stopped responding.

iPhone Duo reviews note battery and camera trade-offs

iPhone Duo reviews also cover battery life, performance, and cameras in detail. The phone uses Apple’s A20 Pro processor, and CNN Underscored recorded about 20 percent higher Geekbench 7 multi-core performance than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, and 45 percent higher than the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Battery results were strong in video playback, with CNN measuring 22 hours and 50 minutes of continuous 4K playback with the phone unfolded. Tom’s Guide recorded 13 hours and 20 minutes in a web-browsing test on the larger display. The cameras draw a mixed verdict, with two 48-megapixel rear cameras and a 12-megapixel outer front camera. The Verge found the phone warm and sometimes hot in video apps. Both outlets note the cover screen feels small for extended use. The Duo is a polished first foldable, but reviewers say software and app support will decide its long-term appeal.

Source: 9to5Google