iPhone Duo’s hardware impresses, but iOS limits its foldable appeal

After a week and a half with Apple’s first foldable, one problem stood out: its cover screen can feel cramped even though it is similar in size to displays on competing phones. A right-hand rail takes up space that many apps do not use, making the iPhone Duo feel less suited to folding than its Android rivals.

Corp and Tech·November 6, 2026·reads: 649

iPhone Duo’s hardware impresses, but iOS limits its foldable appeal

The issue is not simply the display’s dimensions. Apps that feel comfortable on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Xiaomi 18 Fold can look crowded on the Duo because of the unused space along the screen’s right edge.

The reviewer, who tested almost every Android foldable released this year, including models from Samsung, Google, Honor and Oppo, found that the Duo holds its own on hardware. Its curved frame, Ceramic Shield back and smooth hinge give it a polished feel, with the hinge closing with a magnetic click. In that regard, it feels better than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Xiaomi 18 Fold, the reviewer said.

But the Duo’s weight is a significant drawback, and the source article ends before describing it further. The broader verdict is that iOS, rather than the hardware, currently holds Apple’s foldable back: Android is slicker for folding phones, though the reviewer said that could change.