Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 5 hrs ago
Early iPhone Duo Impressions Highlight App and Camera Trade-offs
A MacRumors videographer used the iPhone Duo a day before its release and answered questions about Apple's new foldable phone.
Some apps fill its screen or offer features for its folded positions, while unupdated apps show thick black bars.
Two apps can run side by side, making it possible to watch a video while browsing a website.
The camera is similar to an iPhone 17's, but there is no telephoto lens, and the under-display camera is best suited to casual video calls.
The phone uses Touch ID rather than Face ID, and unlocking requires touching and holding the button.
Its inner screen felt durable, but the $1,999 phone is heavy and has compromises that may put off buyers.
More app updates are expected from release day, and a full review is still to come.
MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera shared early impressions of the iPhone Duo after getting the device a day before publication.
Some apps fit the Duo’s screen or offer features for its different positions, while unoptimized apps display thick black bars.
The camera is comparable to the iPhone 17 camera but lacks a telephoto lens and falls short of the iPhone 18 Pro camera.
The Duo uses Touch ID, which Barbera said is slower than Face ID, and has an under-display camera suited mainly to casual video calls.
The device starts at $1,999, and Barbera said its weight, size and feature trade-offs may deter some buyers.
- Who
- MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera shared the impressions.
- What
- He answered questions about the iPhone Duo’s apps, camera, unlocking, display and size.
- When
- The article was published October 22, 2026. Barbera got the device a day earlier.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Barbera spent the day answering questions people were asking about the new device.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Barbera got his iPhone Duo early.
Barbera spent the day answering questions about the device.
MacRumors expected many app updates to become available.
- Starting price
- $1,999
- Camera comparison
- Comparable to the iPhone 17 camera; not as good as the iPhone 18 Pro camera
- Camera limitation
- No telephoto lens
- Unlocking
- Touch ID; Apple Watch can also be used to unlock the device
- App display
- Some unupdated apps have thick black bars on the sides