iPhone Duo reviews: what MKBHD, Mrwhosetheboss and the first reviewers think

The first full iPhone Duo reviews landed on October 21, two days before the phone goes on sale. MKBHD, Mrwhosetheboss, Joanna Stern and the big tech sites mostly agree: it’s the most fun iPhone in years, with a hinge they rank among the best on any foldable. It’s also heavy, it swaps Face ID for Touch ID, and a lot of apps don’t fit its big screen yet. Here’s what they found.

News · Reviews published October 21, 2026 · Image: Apple.

The verdict so far

What reviewers loved

• The hinge. This is the closest thing to universal praise. MKBHD says it holds a half-open position more steadily than any foldable he’s used, and the resistance changes as you open it. Engadget calls it one of the nicest hinges on any foldable. It’s what lets the Duo stand up on a desk for video calls or StandBy.
• The matte inner screen. The 7.6-inch display has a matte, anti-reflective finish. Reviewers say it cuts glare and makes the crease hard to see. You can still spot the crease at an angle, and you can feel it with a finger, but head-on it all but disappears.
• Battery life. In Engadget’s video test it ran for 28 hours 48 minutes, slightly longer than the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Mrwhosetheboss found it outlasted the smaller iPhone 18 Pro.
• Speed. It has the same A20 Pro chip as the iPhone 18 Pro, and Gizmodo’s benchmarks show the two scoring almost identically.
• Two apps at once. Running apps side by side on the big screen was a highlight for MKBHD and Mrwhosetheboss, and Apple’s own apps already use two-pane layouts.
• The hidden selfie camera. CNET and Engadget both say the camera under the inner screen is nearly invisible when it’s not in use.

What reviewers didn’t like

• It’s heavy. Engadget weighed it at 254 grams, more than a quarter heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 8. MKBHD says the Fold 8 is thinner and over 20 percent lighter, and more comfortable because of it.
• No Face ID. The Duo uses a Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the side button instead. MKBHD thinks Face ID will be the number one thing people miss. 9to5Mac called it the hardest change to get used to, though unlocking with an Apple Watch helps.
• Apps that don’t fit. Many apps still show up letterboxed, with black bars down the sides. MKBHD named Spotify, Google Maps, Discord, X and Google Calendar. Mrwhosetheboss added Google Docs and several games. WIRED’s advice is to wait a few months for developers to catch up.
• No zoom lens. There are two 48MP cameras on the back, a main and an ultra wide, with no telephoto. MKBHD notes there’s no ProRes or Log video either. Engadget says the iPhone 18 Pro still takes the better photos, and for Mrwhosetheboss the missing zoom was a dealbreaker.
• It runs warm. Joanna Stern called it a hand warmer. Apple says that’s normal heat management.
• The price. At $1,999 to start, almost every reviewer said it’s only worth it if you can comfortably afford it.

Who said what

Does the hinge hold up?

So far, yes. Joanna Stern had a custom folding machine open and close her Duo 32,640 times over four nights. Afterwards the hinge was very slightly stiffer when measured with a gauge, but she couldn’t feel any difference in everyday use.

That’s one phone over a few days, not a lifetime test, and Apple hasn’t published a fold rating of its own. But it’s a good early sign for the part of the phone that worried people most.

The screen is the other thing to look after. Engadget points out that the matte top layer on the inner screen can be peeled off, and Apple charges $49 to replace it. Leave it alone.

Is the battery good?

It depends on the test. Engadget’s video playback test gave it 28 hours 48 minutes, ahead of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Tom’s Guide’s web-browsing test over 5G gave it 13 hours 20 minutes. That’s well ahead of the Fold 8’s 10 hours 6 minutes, but well short of the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s 17 hours 31 minutes.

In everyday use, Engadget often finished the day with 40 percent or more left. Most people will get through a full day.

Is the cover screen big enough?

This is where reviewers disagreed most. CNET says the 5.4-inch outer screen doesn’t feel cramped, and Engadget calls it a great size for one hand. The Verge thinks it’s too small to use all the time, so most owners will end up opening the phone more than they expect.

Should you buy one?

The reviewers’ advice lines up neatly:

• Buy it if you want a tablet-sized screen in your pocket, you’ll use two apps at once, and $1,999 won’t hurt.
• Skip it if you care most about the camera, you mostly text and scroll social media, or you’re hard on your phones. An iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max will do those jobs better for less.
• Wait if the apps you use most are on the letterboxed list. Most reviewers expect app support to get much better over the next few months.

MKBHD put it best when he called the Duo “very polished around the edges, but kind of rough in the middle.” For a first try at a foldable, most reviewers think that’s a strong start.

What the reviews mean for accessories

• Get a case that protects the hinge. The hinge has held up in testing, but it’s still the most expensive part to fix. Our iPhone Duo case picks include one that covers it.
• Buy a 45W charger. Engadget reports Apple says 45W is enough for the Duo’s fastest wired charging, which gets it to 50 percent in about 20 minutes. MagSafe and Qi2 chargers reach up to 25W.
• Only put glass on the outer screen. The inner screen has its own matte layer. Don’t add a protector to it, and don’t peel it.
• Use magnetic mounts with the phone folded. At 254 grams, it’s a heavy phone to hang on a car vent when it’s open.

Our iPhone Duo accessories guide has our picks for each, and if you haven’t ordered yet, here are the best iPhone Duo deals and who can deliver it first.

Common questions

Is the iPhone Duo worth it?

For most people, reviewers say no. It’s a lot of fun, but at $1,999 it’s heavy, it has no Face ID or zoom lens, and many apps don’t use its big screen yet. It’s worth it if you really want a tablet-sized iPhone and the price won’t hurt.

Can you see the crease on the iPhone Duo?

Barely. Its matte screen hides the crease when you look at it straight on. You can see it at some angles, and you can feel it with your finger.

Does the iPhone Duo have Face ID?

No. It uses Touch ID in the side button. You can also unlock it with an Apple Watch.

How heavy is the iPhone Duo?

Engadget measured 254 grams, which is more than a quarter heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

When does the iPhone Duo come out?

Friday, October 23. New orders from Apple were quoting late January when we last checked, so if you want one sooner, check our deals and delivery dates.

Sources: Engadget, The Verge, WIRED, CNET, 9to5Mac, Gizmodo, Tom’s Guide and Cult of Mac (Joanna Stern’s hinge test), plus the MKBHD and Mrwhosetheboss reviews as reported by Dexerto and the MacRumors review roundup.