The iPhone Duo was all anyone could talk about when Apple unveiled it earlier this month. But once the initial hype faded, many realized it was just anotherfoldable phone. In fact, its hazy display, wide body, and right-hand-biased layout put it at a disadvantage compared to other foldables.
Not that any of this will stop Apple loyalists when pre-orders open on October 16 ahead of the October 23 release.
Everyone else, however, has plenty of reasons to think twice before dropping $1,999.
What can it do that other foldables can't?
We asked readers who aren't planning to get the Duo to explain their decision. Of the 876 who responded, 433 (49%) cited price as the chief reason. Around 320 (37%) don't think it can do anything that their phones can't.
For 92 readers (11%), the matte screen is a dealbreaker, while just 31 (4%) feel the multitasking capabilities are not up to snuff.
Poll
1441 Votes
What might hold you back from getting the Duo?
Price
51.56%
Matte screen
8.95%
Multi-tasking capabilities fall short
3.47%
My current phone can already do everything it does.
36.02%
Practicality over temptation
Foldables have been around for eight years, but as with 5G, Apple is the only company capable of driving mainstream adoption.
Apple's grip on the premium market means people who didn't even think about buying a foldable before will jump on board without a second thought.
For pragmatic buyers, the fact that Apple didn't shoot for the stars with the iPhone Duo means it's nothing special.
Radio silence
Interest in the iPhone Duo has cratered. | Image by Google Trends
There's a lull in conversation around the iPhone Duo right now. That's not just an observation. Google Trends data confirms that search interest has plummeted.
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Part of that silence is down to timing. The iPhone 18 Pro was released just a week ago, and buyers and reviewers are busy putting it through its paces.
Also, the iPhone Duo is still nearly a month away from release, so potential buyers are likely just waiting it out.
Still, this drop-off in momentum can't be a good sign.
The second wave
Perhaps we will see chatter around the device pick up when it nears pre-order and launch. That will be another opportunity for Apple to captivate consumers it wasn't able to reel in the first time around.
Here's what else you need to know about the iPhone Duo:
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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