Apple iPhone Duo faces stiff competition from Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
While Apple’s first foldable iPhone Duo offers a premium design, reviewers cite the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8’s lighter build, lower price, superior multitasking, physical SIM slot, and Android flexibility as reasons to prefer it.
Apple unveiled its first foldable, the iPhone Duo, at a September 9 event, with sales expected to begin a month later. The device weighs 254 grams and is 11.3 mm thick when folded, which reviewers say makes it heavier and bulkier than most Android competitors. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, launched earlier this year, measures 9.7 mm and weighs 201 grams, offering a slimmer, lighter profile.
The iPhone Duo is priced at $1,999 in the United States, while Samsung lists the Z Fold 8 at $1,899. In some markets the price gap widens to around $1,000, a factor the reviewer considers significant when choosing a foldable.
Apple’s new device introduces split-screen multitasking, allowing two apps to run side-by-side. Samsung’s Z Fold 8 supports up to three simultaneous apps, floating windows, and Samsung DeX, which enables a desktop-like experience when connected to an external monitor—features not available on the iPhone Duo.
The iPhone Duo relies exclusively on eSIM technology, whereas the Z Fold 8 retains a physical SIM slot, a convenience cited by users who frequently switch carriers or travel.
Finally, the reviewer notes that Android’s open ecosystem provides more customization options, such as Samsung’s Good Lock tool, compared with iOS restrictions on browsers and sideloading. Both devices offer IP68 dust and water resistance, but the reviewer concludes that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 better meets their personal priorities.