Apple has finally entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, following months of rumors and speculation.
The new foldable officially launches on October 23. A full review will have to wait until then, but early hands-on impressions offer a look at how Apple’s first foldable compares with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8.
The two phones target the premium foldable market, with differences in price, design, displays and cameras likely to shape the competition.
Price
Apple’s iPhone Duo starts at $1,999, lower than some earlier reports that predicted a price between $2,000 and $2,300.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.99. Both phones offer 256GB of storage in their entry-level models.
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Apple takes pricing much further with a 2TB version of the iPhone Duo. That model costs $3,199. Samsung does not offer a 2TB configuration for the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Design
Apple’s design initially appeared questionable based on leaked images. The rounded corners and D-shaped outer display drew comparisons with Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
The finished iPhone Duo, however, presents a more refined impression. Its sleek design gives the phone a futuristic look, while unfolding it creates a more sculptural appearance.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a more traditional, boxy design. It looks practical and utilitarian compared with Apple’s approach.
Both foldables are extremely thin. The iPhone Duo measures 5.2mm when unfolded, making it Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet.
Samsung has an even slimmer profile. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 measures 4.5mm when open and is also lighter than Apple’s device.
Displays and Crease
The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner Super Retina XDR display and a 5.4-inch outer Super Retina XDR screen.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 offers a 7.6-inch inner AMOLED display and a 5.5-inch outer screen.
Apple could have an advantage with its premium nano-texture finish. The technology reduces reflections and may make the foldable’s crease less noticeable.
Early images suggest the iPhone Duo’s crease is difficult to see. Apple’s Liquid Glass interface and Super Retina XDR technology could further enhance the display experience.
Samsung, however, has also made major progress with its foldable displays. The Galaxy Z Fold 8’s AMOLED panels are impressive, while its crease is also close to invisible.
Samsung’s display expertise is particularly notable because the company is reportedly involved in manufacturing the flexible panel used in Apple’s foldable.
Cameras
Cameras could become one of the biggest differences between the two devices.
The iPhone Duo features a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, a 12MP Center Stage selfie camera and an under-display FaceTime camera.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a 50MP wide camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera and a 10MP selfie camera.
Samsung appears to have the advantage on megapixels, but sensor resolution does not determine overall image quality. Image processing also plays a major role.
Apple’s new A20 Pro chip could give the iPhone Duo an edge in computational photography. However, the company still has ground to make up in AI-powered photo editing.
Samsung has offered AI photo-editing tools on its Galaxy devices for several years. Apple is only now expanding these capabilities with iOS 27.
The selfie experience could also favor Apple. The Galaxy Z Fold 8’s 10MP inner selfie camera occupies part of the display and has been criticized for its limited appeal.
Apple’s under-display FaceTime camera avoids taking up valuable screen space, although image quality will need to be tested.
The iPhone Duo also includes a second Center Stage camera on the rear. The feature can help users capture selfies in both portrait and landscape orientations without repositioning the phone.
On paper, Apple appears to have created a more versatile camera system for its first foldable. A full side-by-side test will ultimately determine whether the iPhone Duo can outperform Samsung’s latest flagship foldable.
