Apple's iPhone Duo has sparked an unusually divisive debate, particularly over its unconventional display coating and unusual screen proportions. Rather than joining either side, Linus approaches the device as a longtime foldable enthusiast who appreciates Apple's hardware strengths without overlooking its design shortcomings. After spending several weeks using the phone, he argues that many of the loudest opinions fail to recognize the compromises inherent in developing a folding smartphone. His approach establishes a useful distinction between genuine engineering achievements, subjective preferences, and decisions that make everyday use unnecessarily frustrating.
The most illuminating discussion concerns Apple's nano-texture inner display, which reduces reflections and makes the screen crease considerably less noticeable. Linus explains how anti-glare coatings balance reflected light against perceived contrast, demonstrating why neither a perfectly glossy nor heavily diffused surface is universally superior. He particularly appreciates the paper-like appearance when reading, although he acknowledges that it cannot fully replicate the comfort of a dedicated Kindle Colorsoft. LTT Labs' brightness measurements reportedly approach Apple's advertised 3,000 nits, but the coating produces less impressive black levels than glossy OLED competitors under ambient lighting. The removable screen protector makes this compromise especially interesting, allowing users to prioritize either reduced glare or stronger contrast. His enthusiasm is persuasive because it recognizes the display's limitations rather than treating Apple's approach as an unquestionable breakthrough.
The hardware assessment continues with considerable praise for the Duo's speakers, processing capabilities, and battery endurance. Linus describes the audio quality as substantially better than his Galaxy Fold 7, while testing from LTT Labs indicates that the A20 Pro delivers excellent performance despite thermal constraints imposed by the thin folding design. Sustained workloads reportedly fall behind the iPhone 18 Pro models, but the Duo still outperforms the tested Galaxy devices. Battery testing is similarly impressive, with approximately 24 hours of video streaming on the inner display and nearly 34 hours using the cover screen. The inclusion of internal scans provides an interesting look at Apple's split-battery arrangement. These measurements give the review technical substance, although the results would be more informative with additional detail about testing conditions and the competing devices' individual scores.
Apple's approach to authentication and photography produces more mixed reactions. Linus welcomes Touch ID's return but questions the removal of Face ID, arguing that an expensive flagship should ideally provide both authentication methods. He also praises the under-display inner camera for minimizing visual distractions, even though its image quality is comparatively poor. His willingness to accept reduced selfie quality in exchange for an uninterrupted display reflects a consistent emphasis on practical usability. The rear cameras receive a more restrained assessment, while the cover-screen selfie camera earns particular admiration for its square sensor, which supports portrait and landscape capture without rotating the phone. However, the limited camera preview area on the unfolded screen becomes an example of Apple failing to exploit the device's most distinctive feature.
The criticism becomes considerably sharper when Linus examines the Duo's unusual 1:2 aspect ratio and the software decisions surrounding it. The narrow cover display creates conflicts between the keyboard and available content space, while Apple's inconsistent navigation conventions make one-handed operation awkward. An additional back control helps address the problem without resolving his broader frustration with Apple's navigation philosophy. The inner display introduces different issues, including an unnecessarily restrictive four-column home screen and interface layouts that often squander the available space. Linus also demonstrates how applications such as Plex, Google's productivity tools, and Instagram struggle with the unconventional dimensions. Importantly, he distinguishes these third-party compatibility problems from Apple's own design choices, recognizing that developers may improve their applications as the platform matures.
His examination of Apple's first-party applications provides some of the review's strongest criticism. Apple Maps demonstrates how effectively the Duo can adapt between its smaller cover screen and expansive inner display, but Photos and Settings reveal less convincing interface decisions. The two-column layouts sometimes appear to prioritize filling the screen over presenting useful information, while navigation elements consume valuable space in awkward locations. Keyboard flexibility becomes another significant complaint, particularly Apple's limited resizing options and unreliable autocorrect compared with the alternatives available on his Samsung foldable. These observations are compelling because they address recurring interactions rather than isolated specification differences. Nevertheless, his repeated frustration with Apple's design philosophy occasionally becomes more emphatic than analytical, and several interface objections remain matters of personal preference rather than demonstrable usability failures.
Despite these criticisms, Linus ultimately regards the Duo as a promising device whose shortcomings are largely correctable through software development. He acknowledges its relatively substantial weight, thickness, and price while arguing that its cost becomes more understandable when compared with competing premium foldables or purchasing an iPhone alongside an iPad mini. The review's balance is somewhat weakened by its commercial interruptions, including an early merchandise promotion and an extended closing segment devoted to Dbrand's protective case. The case discussion offers legitimate observations about hinge protection and Apple's expensive first-party alternatives, but its promotional emphasis distracts from the broader evaluation. Even so, the combination of firsthand experience, laboratory measurements, and specific software demonstrations makes this a more substantial examination than the polarized commentary Linus sets out to challenge.
Pros
- Provides a balanced, experience-driven assessment that recognizes the trade-offs behind Apple's first foldable rather than embracing reflexive praise or criticism.
- Clearly explains the nano-texture display's benefits and disadvantages, particularly its reduced reflections, less noticeable crease, and weaker perceived contrast.
- Incorporates LTT Labs measurements covering display brightness, processing performance, thermal limitations, and battery endurance to support important hardware assessments.
- Offers detailed comparisons with competing foldables, drawing on Linus's extensive experience using Samsung's folding smartphones.
- Evaluates the cameras and biometric authentication through practical usability, including the advantages of the under-display camera and square front-facing sensor.
- Identifies specific software frustrations involving navigation, keyboard behavior, home screen density, and ineffective use of the larger display.
- Distinguishes temporary third-party application compatibility problems from questionable first-party interface decisions.
- Maintains an engaging, humorous presentation while acknowledging that the Duo's most significant software limitations may improve over time.
Cons
- The confrontational opening and recurring references to fanboys occasionally undermine the measured objectivity that the review otherwise attempts to establish.
- Some hardware comparisons would benefit from more detailed testing methodology and clearer numerical results for competing devices.
- Several interface criticisms rely heavily on personal preferences without consistently exploring why Apple may have selected particular layouts.
- The expectation that third-party compatibility issues will eventually be resolved is reasonable but remains speculative, with no certainty about developer adoption or timing.
- The early merchandise promotion and lengthy Dbrand sponsorship interrupt the review's momentum, particularly as the closing segment shifts attention away from the phone itself.
- The discussion of pricing and long-term ownership remains relatively brief considering the significant investment required for a premium foldable.
Linus delivers an entertaining and technically informed assessment that successfully challenges simplistic arguments about Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market. The combination of impressive hardware measurements, thoughtful display analysis, and detailed criticism of Apple's software decisions reveals a device that is genuinely innovative without being fully refined. Although the occasional confrontational commentary and commercial interruptions weaken the presentation, the review offers valuable guidance for anyone considering whether Apple's hardware achievements outweigh the frustrations of its unconventional design.
