The iPhone Duo is barely a day old, and the first wave of reactions is already split. 9to5Mac's Michael Burkhardt picked up his unit at Apple Fifth Avenue on launch day and says the foldable has been "a wonder to use," despite a few quirks that he does not consider deal-breakers. At the same time, Android Authority reports that some iPhone Duo screens are not making it through day one.
The contrast matters because Apple's first foldable is arriving under intense scrutiny. Launch-day coverage from 9to5Mac noted long lines at Apple Stores and limited walk-in availability, while the new durability report suggests the early batch may not be entirely flawless.
iPhone Duo quirks and first-day impressions
In his follow-up, Burkhardt pushes back on the idea that the iPhone Duo's compromises ruin the experience. He compares it to last year's iPhone Air, which was praised for its thinness but forced users to accept weaker speakers, a single rear camera and shorter battery life. In his view, the Duo does not feel like giving up anything that really matters.
He also flags two software annoyances he would like Apple to fix. iOS still only allows the back-swipe gesture from the left edge, even though navigation elements sit on the right side, and he found himself instinctively swiping from the right. He also wants camera-based facial recognition combined with Apple Watch unlock, since the current setup means anyone handed the phone can unlock it.
- Touch ID replaces Face ID, which Burkhardt describes as a learning curve rather than a struggle.
- The under-display FaceTime camera looks worse than a standard front camera, but holds up in good lighting and on video calls.
