The iPhone Duo has solved many of the problems that have been plaguing foldables for almost a decade. But Apple engineers failed to fix a clumsy workaround that almost all Android foldables have been using since their inception — gluing a case to a super-expensive, state-of-the-art device.
The $79 official iPhone Duo sase uses adhesive strips
The official iPhone Duo case sticks to the phone with adhesive strips. | Image by Apple
Most Android foldable owners are familiar with the issue. The hinge on most foldables moves around and slides between the two parts of the phone. Meanwhile, most cases don't have enough of a lip to grab onto the paper-thin bezels of these devices.
This design issue has been solved in the easiest and clumsiest way. Case manufacturers, and even the phone makers themselves, add adhesive strips to the inner rims of the plastic cases, effectively gluing the case to the phone's frame.
That's quite a primitive workaround, albeit an effective one, and Apple normally hates such low-tech solutions.
MagSafe and the iPhone Duo cases
The official MagSafe iPhone Duo charger. | Image by PopularScience
The iPhone Duo supports MagSafe and wireless charging, which is a feat in and of itself. I was genuinely surprised that Apple managed to fit the necessary components into the super-thin chassis of the iPhone Duo.
Given that Apple already sells a MagSafe charger for the iPhone Duo, I expected a high-tech solution in the case department, taking full advantage of the built-in magnets.
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However, Apple decided to cheap out on the regular iPhone Duo case and use low-tech adhesive strips that users have to peel off when snapping the case onto the phone.
"That's not a big problem; why all the fuss?" you may ask. Granted, it may not seem like much, but I like to take the case off when I use my phone at home and slap it back on when going out. Doing this with the iPhone Duo case will quickly wear down the glue and render the $79 case useless.
But wait, things get stranger — because Apple did design a magnetic Folio case for the iPhone Duo.
A massively compromised iPhone Duo Folio cover
The Folio case attaches using magnets, but it covers the outer screen. | Images by Apple
When I first saw the $129 TechWoven Folio cover, I thought it was a joke. Apple did make that one MagSafe-compatible, and it attaches to the iPhone Duo using the power of magnets. However, it completely covers the outer display — effectively rendering the phone's cover screen useless until you unfold it.
That's a pretty strange design choice that reminds me of the Microsoft Surface Duo, the wacky two-screen Android foldable that gave the iPhone Duo its name. Microsoft's gadget didn't have a cover display, but at least it was able to fold backward to turn the inner screens into cover screens.
Back to the Folio case. It essentially negates all the advantages of a folding phone and turns the iPhone Duo into an iPad mini. You can only use it unfolded. As a result, iPhone Duo owners are left with two strange options.
Which iPhone Duo case you like the best?
212 Votes
Glue a plastic case onto your $2K phone or cover its outer screen
I know that many of you will find this problem blown out of proportion and overly dramatic, but I'm standing my ground on this one. Selling a $79 plastic case with adhesive strips for a $2K phone is cheaping out.
And offering a Folio case that magnetically attaches to the iPhone Duo but covers the outer display is moronic — pardon my French.
I think Apple is trying to boost third-party accessory sales with these particular design choices, as ironic as this might be.
The iPhone Duo did solve one big foldable design flaw
It's effectively the first screen protector for a foldable that you can swap, and it costs only $19 if you have AppleCare+.
It's a great feature that might not seem like much, but I guarantee it's a huge deal that can extend the lifespan of the iPhone Duo by years and save you hundreds of dollars.
Taking into account that simple yet elegant solution, I can't help but feel disappointed with the two official case models for the iPhone Duo.
What do you think about all this? Would you go for an official Apple case or look into third-party solutions for your iPhone Duo?
Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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