“I believe I will revert to my previous iPhone,” I found myself saying repeatedly during my five-day getaway with the new iPhone Duo, as I faced challenges with malfunctioning applications, unfamiliar gestures (a return to Touch ID, unfortunately!), and camera issues that compelled me to carry two phones. By the end of the trip, I was reluctant to return to my old device.
When I first unwrapped the Duo, which was provided by Apple, I felt a genuine sense of curiosity. A wave of excitement washed over me as I removed the factory seal and powered on the device. In hindsight, this was likely the initial indication that the Duo would eventually win my favor.
As a technology journalist, I have tested numerous devices over the years, so the thrill of unboxing a new gadget has diminished. However, in the days leading up to the Duo’s release, I found myself genuinely wanting one—I began calculating upgrade options to justify the $2,000 price tag. I even started browsing TikTok reviews for Duo cases. My hesitation stemmed not only from the cost but also from the significant transition involved in moving to the Duo, especially after using an iPhone 17 Pro Max. The differences between the two devices were stark.
As I prepared for my vacation when the Duo arrived, I decided to bring my 17 Pro Max along as a backup. Surprisingly, I ended up using the Duo more frequently and became accustomed to it throughout the trip, despite some challenges.
Transitioning to a new phone always entails a psychological adjustment, particularly when moving from a premium device to a more experimental one like the Duo. For someone accustomed to the iPhone’s well-established technology and sleek rectangular design, the Duo’s compact and distinctly innovative form factor was initially disconcerting.
“Where is all the screen space I used to have?” I lamented. “Will this even fit comfortably in my pocket?” To my surprise, it did fit—both in my front and back pockets, even while encased. I could sit down with it in my back pocket without fear of damage. (I intended to be more cautious, but I often forgot, as I typically carry my phone in my back pocket while walking. I sat on it numerous times, and it remained intact.) I also accidentally dropped the phone at least three times—twice from table height and once when it slipped off the bed. It landed not on soft carpet but on concrete, tile, and wooden floors, yet it emerged unscathed, with no cracks on the screen. While these were not formal drop tests, it was reassuring for someone who tends to be clumsy with their phone.
Nonetheless, I did encounter some frustrations. The Duo’s small outer screen required more scrolling to revisit text threads; unoptimized applications often concealed essential features within a “more” (three-dot) menu, necessitating a search to locate the desired option; and on several occasions, the Google Search app froze.
Although this issue was not Apple’s fault, it became my most significant software annoyance, particularly since Search is one of my essential apps while traveling. During my vacation, I frequently opened the app to research points of interest, restaurant reviews, distances between locations, weather updates, and more. However, the app would often become unresponsive, and tapping the back button yielded no results.
This appeared to be a problem specific to the Search app’s AI Mode, which users are often thrust into without prior request. (This added to my frustration with AI Search!) The only solution was to force-close the app, allowing me to return to the home screen with the search box upon reopening it. It is surprising that, at a time when Google is experiencing a decline in search usage due to AI, it has not prioritized making its Search app functional on Apple’s latest device!
Furthermore, many early reviews highlighted that numerous applications had not been updated or redesigned for the Duo at launch, resulting in a noticeable black bar on the side, further constricting the limited screen space when the phone is closed. While this observation is accurate, I personally did not consider it a dealbreaker for switching to the Duo.
For one, developers have been releasing Duo-optimized updates relatively quickly. Those that have not—of which there are still quite a few!—remain usable, albeit somewhat unattractive. Google Maps was not optimized for the Duo during my trip, yet I had no issues using it for driving directions, local searches, and route planning. In fact, the black-barred apps seemed more like an aesthetic concern than a functional issue, even though they appeared smaller than usual when the Duo was folded. I anticipate that all major applications will eventually receive updates. As for the older apps that may never be updated? It might be time to move on from applications that are no longer maintained, especially in an era where outdated software is increasingly vulnerable to exploitation by AI-driven hacking tools.
However, I concur with other reviewers who criticized the absence of Face ID. This is the Duo’s most significant drawback—not the screen, not the camera, nor the lack of an Action button for launching your preferred AI assistant. It is Touch ID.
It is significantly easier to glance at your phone than to fumble with finger presses. While I managed to avoid using Touch ID to unlock the device—thanks to my Apple Watch, which serves as an alternative authentication method—I often struggled with app access and Apple Pay.
Tap-and-pay is one area where the convenience of Face ID becomes immediately apparent. Reverting to Touch ID during payment was cumbersome, particularly when juggling shopping bags, a purse, and, in my case, a dog leash, along with the phone used for payment. There is a certain degree of “muscle memory” that must be overcome when switching back to Touch ID. I found the most effective grip was to cradle the phone in my hand and use my thumb for authentication. However, I repeatedly faltered in remembering to keep my thumb or finger on the Touch ID sensor long enough for authentication. At times, my finger was not positioned correctly (I attribute this to the dog pulling on the leash!), necessitating a readjustment. “I miss Face ID!” I lamented multiple times at checkout.
Although I adapted to using Touch ID, it is far from ideal. I can foresee this being a significant deterrent for some early adopters who might otherwise be inclined to transition to the Duo. While it is not an insurmountable issue, it ranks among the top reasons to reconsider acquiring the Duo at this time, although a future version is rumored to support Face ID.
Another aspect to consider regarding the Duo is its camera. Much has been discussed about the Duo’s inferior camera system. The Duo features two rear cameras compared to the three on my iPhone 17 Pro Max. It lacks a telephoto lens and offers a 10x digital zoom versus the Pro’s 40x. The Pro is equipped with superior hardware for low-light photography and supports ProRAW, ProRes, and other advanced features.
In simple terms: if you are an iPhone photographer or content creator, the Duo should not be your primary device. For the average user, however, the Duo’s camera is adequate—not exceptional, but satisfactory. What will you do with the photos you take anyway? Post them to Instagram Stories or Facebook? Text them to friends? Reflect on them fondly when they resurface in your photo widget on your Home Screen? Use them as a Lock Screen wallpaper? None of these activities necessitate a professional-grade camera. Below are several photos taken with the Duo compared to those captured with the 17 Pro Max. None of the images utilized special settings or filters; they were intentionally average, non-professional snapshots. Among my criticisms is that the Duo’s image processing can occasionally render fine details, such as leaves on trees, overly processed. Meanwhile, distant landscapes may appear flatter or smoothed out—though, to be fair, the Blue Ridge Mountains are naturally hazy, making it difficult to determine how much of that is attributable to the camera. (The shots from the mountaintop were taken in low-light conditions as dusk approached.)
DUO PHOTOS:
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
PRO MAX PHOTOS:
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
Image Credits:TechCrunch
As for the reasons to consider acquiring the phone? This is straightforward; it is a foldable device. From Apple. First, foldables
