iPhone Duo: 10 Things Your Regular iPhone Can't Do

Quick summary: Here are 10 things you can do on the iPhone Duo that you either can’t do on a regular iPhone, or that are just better on the Duo.

Key takeaways

• The folding design unlocks camera tricks like dual-preview selfies and hands-free Smart Take photos.
• The big inside display makes multitasking, gaming, reading and TikTok much better, especially in optimized apps.
• You can prop the Duo up on its own for StandBy and Flex mode, with no stand or grip needed.

1. Selfies with the rear cameras and a live preview

Use the better rear cameras for selfies while still seeing yourself on the outside display. Open the camera and tap the dual-preview button.

2. Multitasking with two apps

Open any app, hold it to the left or right, let go, then pick a second app. It’s super simple and super fun.

3. Apple Pencil on both displays

You can use an Apple Pencil on the inside and outside displays to mark up a thumbnail, take notes or color. The Pencil is an extra purchase, but you can’t do this on a regular iPhone at all.

4. StandBy mode, no stand needed

Prop the phone up like a tent and you get a very usable clock. On a regular iPhone you’d need a grip or a stand to do the same thing.

5. Gaming on a bigger screen

Gaming is really cool on the Duo, especially when a game is optimized. Some games even let you use the fold itself. Toasty, for example, lets you open and close the phone as part of play. Even without that, the big 7.6-inch inside display gives you more real estate and makes games more immersive.

6. Flex mode

Fold the phone in half and supported apps split the screen: video on the top half, comments or browsing on the bottom. It’s a fun, different way to use apps hands-free.

7. Reading books

Hold it one way and scroll, or turn it and see two pages side by side. Comic books and regular books are fun on it when the app is optimized, like Apple Books.

8. TikTok’s built-in multitasking

TikTok did a knockout job on the Duo. Open the comments and the video stays playing beside them, updating as you flick through videos. It’s optimized well on both displays.

9. Smart Take photos

Fold the phone, prop it up, point the camera at yourself in photo mode, and it automatically takes photos of you when you’re in frame.

10. Mixing it all together

The real fun is combining these: propping it up, splitting the screen and using the bigger display however you like. What do you use your iPhone Duo for that you never did on a regular iPhone? Let me know in the comments on the video.

• Buy the iPhone Duo at Best Buy