When Apple revealed the iPhone Duo during their September keynote, I started imagining all the ways I might use it. Seeing an iPhone unfold into a larger screen was exciting, but what caught my attention most was Split View, which lets you use two apps side by side.
I thought about how useful that could be when traveling with my girlfriend. We could look up restaurants, check maps, and plan our next stop without switching between apps all the time. I also started thinking about how useful the Duo could be for planning my week, keeping track of tasks and appointments, or managing my content posting schedule.
Of course, imagining how useful a phone might be isn’t the same as living with it. I don’t expect the Duo to beat my iPhone 17 Pro Max in every way. But trying something different was enough to convince me to pre-order one.
My Interest in Foldables Didn’t Start with Apple
I’ve been interested in foldable phones since Samsung released the original Galaxy Fold in 2019. I loved the idea of a phone that opened into a bigger screen, but those early models seemed too tall and narrow for me. I couldn’t picture carrying one every day, especially when it came to fitting one comfortably in my pocket.
I was more drawn to clamshell phones like the Galaxy Z Flip. Instead of opening into a small tablet, they folded down into something easier to carry but opened into the more traditional slab style. That made more sense to me at the time. I liked the idea of keeping the familiar phone experience and making it smaller when I didn’t need it.
My opinion started to change with the Galaxy Z Fold7 and especially the Fold8. Samsung’s Fold7 surprised me with its thinner, sleeker design. But the Fold8 especially caught my attention because its shape reminded me of a small passport or Field Notes notebook. It looked like something that would feel comfortable to hold and use. Its wider 5.5-inch outer screen seemed easier to use as a regular phone, while its 7.6-inch inner screen offered room for more like watching videos or multitasking.
For the first time, I could picture myself carrying a book-style foldable. I nearly bought the Galaxy Z Fold8 this summer, but decided to wait until September to see what Apple had planned.
Why I Waited for Apple’s Version
As tempting as the Fold8 was, switching to Android would mean leaving behind an Apple setup I’ve spent years building.
My MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPad Pro, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, HomePod mini, and iCloud+ all work together in ways I’ve grown to like. I’ve also built creative workflows around photography, editing, and drawing using these devices. I think switching to the Fold8 would add friction to the way I already work. Moving photos between devices with AirDrop is one of those small conveniences I use often, and my Apple Watch wouldn’t work with an Android phone to track my steps or workouts.
That doesn’t mean I dislike Android. I owned a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Note 4, and I loved how much I could customize them. I could change the launcher, use two apps at once, and try tools built around the S Pen. I didn’t use the stylus much, but I still appreciate Samsung’s willingness to experiment. I even rooted my Note 3 to remove Samsung’s bloatware and install custom ROMs so I could try newer versions of Android and their features months before they officially reached my phone. I just had to be careful not to trip Samsung’s Knox security system and void my warranty.
So I was open to trying Samsung again, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to disrupt the setup I already rely on just to experience a foldable. Trying something new is fun, but these days, I also value having devices and services that work the way I expect them to.
When Apple announced the Duo, I finally had a chance to try a folding phone without leaving iOS. I could see myself using Split View to check my calendar while writing an email to schedule an appointment. I’m also excited about Apple Pencil (USB-C) support, since drawing and photo editing have become bigger hobbies for me. The only thing I’m not happy about is the fact my Apple Pencil Pro isn’t compatible and I have to buy ANOTHER pencil.
There’s another reason I wanted it, though… I miss feeling excited about a new iPhone.
As shallow as that sounds, I haven’t been this excited about a new iPhone design since the iPhone X. Losing the Home button and learning Face ID and gestures made that phone feel different and exciting. Now I’m curious whether unfolding my phone, using Touch ID again, and having more screen space will change my habits in the same way.
What I’m Willing to Give Up for a Foldable iPhone
Coming from my Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, I know I’ll be giving up features I enjoy. The biggest loss for me will probably be the cameras.
I’ve used the three rear cameras on the Pro Max phones for years. My 17 Pro Max has a dedicated 4x telephoto camera and an 8x optical zoom. The Duo uses its main camera for 2x optical zoom and can zoom digitally up to 10x. Digital zoom often loses detail, so I’ll miss having a lens that helps me photograph subjects I can’t get close to.
Still, as a hobbyist photographer, I’m used to working around limits. I shoot with mirrorless cameras and sometimes use prime lenses, which don’t zoom. That can push me to think harder about how I frame a photo. I’m interested in bringing that same mindset to the Duo. Losing a feature doesn’t always mean losing the ability to make a photo I like. Sometimes it just means finding another way to get the shot.
I’ll also lose Apple ProRAW, which gives me more room to adjust a photo’s color, brightness, and other details while editing. I don’t use ProRAW for every iPhone photo. My use has been closer to 50/50, so I want to see how much I’ll miss it.
I’ll also need to get used to Touch ID again after years of unlocking my phone with Face ID. And while the Duo is shorter when folded, it’s wider, thicker, and heavier on paper than my Pro Max. I’m curious whether that shape will be easier to carry or create new frustrations.
Pre-Order Morning Didn’t Go as Planned
I pre-ordered the 1TB Duo in Star White through AT&T. Its installment plan, upgrade options, and promotional offer made the purchase more manageable. I was tempted by Night Sky, but Star White reminded me of the silver iPhone X I used to own. I also love how it looks with the titanium edges.
I expected pre-order day to be hectic, so I used AT&T’s advance pre-order option to save my choices. On October 16, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. Pacific, ready for orders to open at 5.
At 4:59 a.m., I was already checking out. I entered my shipping address and chose next-day shipping. At first, the page showed an October 23 launch-day delivery.
Then checkout froze.
I clicked Next again, but my entire cart disappeared. For about ten minutes, every attempt to order the Duo sent me back to an empty cart.
I’d been using the Dia browser, so I tried Chrome on my computer and the AT&T app on my iPhone. Somehow, my saved order finally appeared in Chrome with all my choices intact. I finished checkout around 5:15 a.m.
Unfortunately, the delivery estimate had changed from October 23 to November 6–20.
It helped a little to see other people on Reddit reporting similar problems with missing carts, checkout errors, and delayed deliveries. At least I wasn’t the only one.
When I checked again, AT&T was showing December delivery estimates. Some models on Apple’s website were showing dates as late as January 2027, which launch-day reporting also covered. Suddenly, November didn’t sound quite so bad.
AT&T’s advance pre-order wasn’t useless. Once checkout worked, my saved choices were still there. I just wish the process had gone more smoothly, especially after getting up before sunrise. I know shipping dates can change during a busy launch, but watching the estimate slip while the checkout page refused to cooperate was still disappointing.
What I Want to Find Out When My Duo Arrives
The biggest question I have is how often I’ll use the inner screen after the excitement of a new phone wears off.
I’ve been wanting to read more, so I’m curious whether Apple Books or Kindle will feel better on the larger display. I also wonder whether I’ll watch YouTube on the Duo instead of reaching for my 13-inch iPad Pro.
Then there’s multitasking. Split View lets you open two apps side by side when the Duo is unfolded in landscape mode. You can even save pairs of apps to open again later. That sounds handy, but will I actually use it, or will I stick to one app at a time?
I keep thinking about my recent trip with my girlfriend. We spent a lot of time finding restaurants and things to do. Having maps, a browser, or notes open together could have made planning our next stop easier. I’d love to try that on our next trip. It’s one of the few uses I can already imagine being helpful without having to invent a reason to open the phone.
I’m also curious about photography. I know which camera features I’m losing, but I won’t know how much that matters until I start shooting. I want to see which of my usual settings are available and whether I’ll need to change how I take and edit photos.
Even small everyday details matter. How well will the Duo connect to my car through CarPlay? And how will battery life compare with my Pro Max, especially if I use the larger screen often? I don’t want to worry about charging halfway through a normal day just because I’m enjoying the phone’s main feature.
Most of all, I want to know whether I’ll miss my Pro Max. Maybe I’ll enjoy having a shorter phone that opens into something bigger. Or maybe I’ll miss the familiar design I’ve used for years.
It’s easy to imagine what a foldable could do. Living with one will tell me which of those ideas actually make a difference.