The iPhone Duo certainly got people talking (read: feverishly discussing). While some are already forming a decent line to pre-order Apple’s first foldable phone, others have been vocal in their criticism of Apple’s first foldable phone and what you don’t get for $2,000.
Tom’s Guide’s global editor-in-chief Mark Spoonauer broke down some of the Duo’s trade-offs in this YouTube video, highlighting the Duo’s camera, lack of Face ID, weight, battery life and price as areas of concern. In response, 329 viewers left comments on the video, and 176 commented on our related Reddit post.
Look up
For some, certain specifications seem to be deal breakers, while others have expressed that they are excited to become day 1 adopters of the new tech regardless.
Let’s dig into the audience reaction – and please leave your thoughts in the comments and poll below.
“Just because it’s $2k doesn’t mean it needs top shelf cameras”
Mark pointed out that the Duo does not have a telephoto camera, so zoomed photos look more blurry than those of the iPhone 18 Pro Max (which, by the way, costs $ 800 less and also has the new variable aperture). The price-to-camera quality equation is definitely one that feels a bit off, and it was this point that attracted the most opinions from our YouTube viewers and Redditors.
“I quite like the Duo. But I won’t pay top dollar for an inferior camera. That’s the biggest problem.”
Throw the amiibosaway
@EricK-vw5wh was a viewer who wasn’t too concerned about the camera, writing: “I think people need to remember that these things are smartphones, not dedicated cameras. Nowadays people act like these are digital cameras that just have cell phone features if you want them. Just because it’s $2k doesn’t mean it needs to be top shelf cameras. Intended for productivity and content consumption.”
But @FairchildV countered that the camera was an issue for them, replying: “It doesn’t need ‘top shelf’ cameras. But, I fully expect a pro camera for $2,000… For people who actually care about their photo and video quality, this can be a big deal breaker unfortunately.”
Over on Reddit, FarBack5807 wrote, “For anyone zooming in on things, the lack of telephoto means the Duo is significantly worse at 25% of the 17 Pro’s resolving power, and even worse than the 14 Pro at 66% of its resolving power.”
Similarly, Throwtheamiibosaway wrote: “I quite like the duo. But I won’t pay top dollar for a worse camera. That’s the biggest problem.”
Wrapping up the camera debate, I found this comment from @itsacookie1 on YouTube a very meaningful reality check: “I think we all want the security of having the best cameras in our pockets, but most of us don’t take photography seriously or post on social media enough that it matters.
It is worth mentioning at this point that when asked simply ‘Would you buy the iPhone Duo?’, some 63% of respondents (or 3,429 people) answered that yes, they would. Are you tempted by the Duo, or one of the other new iPhones?
Is Touch ID a downgrade at all, really?
The Duo lacks Face ID because there was no physical space in the form factor for the required sensors. Instead, users must use Touch ID to unlock the phone — a tech that was phased out with the advent of the iPhone X. But is the older technology necessarily a downgrade?
@Tejae504 posted a comment I can relate to, “Me [would rather have] Touch ID when I get up at 6am my phone doesn’t recognize me 😂”
In fact, if you’ve ever had a bad hair day, showered in a new makeup look, or dared to unlock your phone while wearing sunglasses, you know that Face ID isn’t always seamless. Then again, as we approach glove season, I remember that neither was Touch ID.
“I [would rather have] Touch ID when I get up at 6am my phone doesn’t recognize me 😂”
@Tejae504
Another viewer who wasn’t bothered by the manual unlock was @chocoloco9985, who said: “For lack of Face ID, yes, it’s annoying, but if I can unlock it with my Apple Watch, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.
Many commentators have pointed out that Apple Watch wearers will hardly notice the “downgrade” because their watches automatically unlock the phone anyway.
On the other hand, @g0nk wrote: “No FaceID is my deal breaker. My arthritic fingers can’t touch that sensor every time.”
Nobody needs 45 hours of battery life anyway
Looking at battery life, Mark pointed out that Apple estimates the iPhone Duo is good for 24 hours of “normal use” vs the Pro Max’s 30 hours.
That gap widens when it comes to video playback, with the Duo’s endurance rated at 31 hours vs the 18 Pro Max’s 45.
“Anyone with a job or who needs quiet will never use the phone for a video playback for so many hours.”
@dlsm
Could this become an irritation for some users, especially since this is a phone marketed for multitasking?
@dlsme wrote at this point: “Anyone who has a job or needs rest will never use their phone for so many hours for video playback. It’s a superficial first world problem, people are just looking for something to convince themselves.”
2 for the price of 1
Many viewers have actually taken the trouble to use our advice to help weigh their next upgrade decision. One thoughtful comment by @Heartlessgamer_3242 said, “Unless you’re always taking photos, especially zooms, or are the kind of photographer who uses the Apple iPhone, the iPhone Duo isn’t a downgrade as a whole compared to the Pro/Pro Max.
“If you only care about the camera, yes. But for someone like me, who multitasks on the device and watches a lot of content and movies, I prefer the larger screen and the dual screen. And if I’m not using the dual screen, I can close it and still have an active screen to use immediately. I also don’t want an iPad and iPhone when we have both in one now.”
Whether the compromises are worth it for a device that can potentially replace two for the price of one is, in a nutshell, the decision for iPhone Duo buyers.
As Apple’s first look at foldables, it’s not perfect, but as @out_of_focus_foto put it simply: “I regret not buying the first iPhone when it came out. First gen isn’t that great.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
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