Hands-on impressions of Apple's iPhone Duo highlight weight, matte display and fingerprint concerns
A brief hands-on session with the $1,999 iPhone Duo revealed a solid build, a matte inner screen that reduces glare, and a tendency for the dark finish to attract fingerprints.
During a 30-minute demo of Apple’s newly announced iPhone Duo, the reviewer noted three practical aspects that are not evident from photos or video. The device, which folds to a 5.2 mm thickness when open and weighs 254 grams, feels sturdier than many thinner Android foldables, providing a reassuring heft for reading, sketching or other productivity tasks. > "The iPhone Duo nails that balance perfectly, and it was super reassuring the second I picked it up off the display table," the reviewer wrote.
The inner display features a nano-texture matte finish that Apple describes as scratch-resistant and about 40 percent stiffer than competing screens. This surface reduces reflective glare under bright lighting, making it easier on the eyes for spreadsheet work or ebook reading. The reviewer suggested the matte coating would also benefit Apple Pencil use.
A drawback observed was that the dark "Night Sky" color variant tends to show fingerprints more readily than the lighter "Star White" finish. While the back retains Apple’s Ceramic Shield protection and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, the fingerprint issue may be mitigated by using a case.
The hands-on impressions are preliminary; further evaluation of camera performance, software and long-term durability is pending as the device approaches its October market launch.