iPhone Duo: 10 Problems You Need to Know Before Buying

Quick summary: These are 10 iPhone Duo problems I’ve run into myself or seen online. Most of my issues are software, and the phone is physically well built. But if you’re about to buy one, you should know these first.

Key takeaways

• It’s heavy (254 grams) and thick, so expect some hand fatigue.
• Unoptimized apps mean black bars, especially Google’s apps.
• The dock doesn’t auto-hide and shrinks the outside display.
• The fingerprint sensor is slow and needs the screen awake.
• The crease is a non-issue for me, but sand, drops and hinge cracks are real risks. Get a good case and AppleCare.

1. It’s heavy

The iPhone Duo weighs 8.96 ounces, or 254 grams, and it’s a thick boy. It’s nowhere near as much of a beast as the Galaxy Z TriFold, but I still get slight hand and wrist fatigue holding it for a long time, and a thick case or grip only adds weight. I hope Apple gets the weight and thickness down next year.

2. Lots of apps aren’t optimized

Many apps don’t fit the Duo’s displays yet. Rotate them and they look worse. Expand them and you still get black bars. A lot of Google apps are like this. It’s usable, and it’s improving slowly, but if you’ve never had a foldable, it’ll feel like the original iPad days.

3. The dock eats the outside display

On the outside display, the dock takes up real estate on an already small screen and doesn’t auto-hide. Content that could expand just doesn’t. It’s really annoying.

4. The fingerprint sensor is slow

This is a big pain point. I love the fingerprint sensors on my Galaxy Z Folds, but I hate this one. The screen has to be awake first, so you have to press the button or wake it, and then it’s slow. It’s only a second or two, but it adds up. I wish it had Face ID. I expect an update will speed it up.

5. The crease (not really a problem)

Some people say the crease shows up hours after unboxing. For me, after more than three days of opening and closing it, and after removing the matte screen protector, it’s fantastic. I barely see it. You got used to the notch for years, and you’ll forget about this too.

6. Sand and dust

It’s rated IP68, but JerryRigEverything got sand inside the hinge and couldn’t fully close the phone. Don’t take it to the beach or anywhere near sand or fine particles. There are too many moving parts.

7. One drop can shatter it

Drop it without a case and the back glass, front glass or hinge could break, or you could get lines on the screen. Get a good case. I like dbrand, which has hinge protection and survived my drop test on a Galaxy Z Fold 8. And get AppleCare or carrier insurance. You’re dumb if you don’t.

8. Cracking when you open it

Some people report hearing a crack when they simply open the phone, followed by lines on the screen, likely related to the hinge. It’s been covered by MacRumors, Reddit and social media. It happens with foldables, but it happens less on Samsung now because its build quality keeps improving. Apple will get there too. Physically, I don’t think this phone is poorly made.

9. Repair and replacement delays

With the Duo backordered into January at Apple, and at carriers into November, December and later, what happens if yours breaks? You could be without a phone for days, weeks or longer. I have other phones to fall back on, but most people don’t.

10. Switcher’s remorse

If I weren’t a tech reviewer, I’d probably have some remorse. I’ve already said I miss my Galaxy phone, and people online say they miss their Galaxy or regular iPhone. It can feel buggy, awkward or heavy.

Should you still try it?

Every device has problems, but this is Apple’s first foldable, and it’s special for Apple fans. If you’re staying with Apple, give it a try. Keep your old phone during the return window just in case. Samsung, Motorola, Huawei and others make great folding phones too.

Protection I’m using

• dbrand Grip Case and Prism Glass for iPhone Duo (also at Best Buy)
• OhSnap Snapgrip stand