Early iPhone Duo buyers cite size, hinge issues and usability concerns for returns
Within two weeks of launch, some iPhone Duo owners have returned the device, citing a heavy form factor, early-generation hinge problems and the inconvenience of a combined phone-tablet design.
Apple’s iPhone Duo, released just over two weeks ago, has already prompted a number of day-one purchasers to return the device for a full refund. While the phone continues to sell, early adopters report that the foldable’s hinge shows first-generation growing pains and that the device feels bulky compared with traditional slab-style iPhones.
Ben Seligson, a content creator and photographer who returned his Duo, said the phone’s dual nature made everyday tasks more disruptive. > “If I can have an iPad in my pocket, that would be great… With the Duo, the phone was also the iPad on the counter, so a quick reply became much more of an interruption.”
Other users highlighted the weight and size as deterrents. Fayethe Vongsouvanh, an art director, described the phone as “too heavy and bulky for my daily use” after a cracked screen and other quirks led to a second return. Michael Hayes, who switched back to a standard iPhone, noted that the iPhone ecosystem’s lock-in reduced his interest in Android foldables, adding, “Unless something massive changes, I’m locked into the ecosystem now.”
Despite the returns, some owners said the Duo offered a unique experience. Seligson remarked that the device felt different from the phones most people have used for the past decade, and Vongsouvanh said using the inner screen with an Apple Pencil inspired them to revisit older iPad models. Hayes mentioned that the Duo’s size prompted him to choose a regular Pro model over a Pro Max.
Apple’s holiday return policy, which began on November 6, extends the standard 14-day window, allowing customers to return the Duo until January 8, 2027, for a full refund. The company continues to project that new online orders will ship in January.