iPhone Duo: My First Few Hours (Help Me!)

Quick summary: I finally have the iPhone Duo in hand, and my first few hours have been more frustrating than fun. Setup was a pain, I’m relearning iOS basics, and the matte screen protector isn’t impressing me outdoors. But it’s early, and I expect to get more comfortable.

Key takeaways

• Of my two Best Buy orders, the white one arrived on launch day. The blue one was stuck with FedEx, and my Apple order wasn’t shipping until mid-November.
• The Android-to-iPhone transfer kept getting stuck for over an hour, though it did move my eSIM.
• I’m relearning basics like emoji reactions and sending GIFs in Messages.
• Quick toggles from the top-right and volume buttons on top feel awkward so far.
• The matte screen protector makes the inside display look less vibrant outdoors.

Shipping: one arrived, one stuck

I ordered two from Best Buy and one from Apple. The Apple one wasn’t shipping until about mid-November. Both Best Buy orders were supposed to arrive on the 23rd, but only my white one did. The blue one got stuck with FedEx somewhere and wouldn’t arrive until Monday. It’s not a huge deal, and I’ll compare the colors when it shows up.

Transferring from Android was a pain

I used Apple’s app for moving from Android to transfer my Samsung Galaxy data, and the iPhone kept getting stuck on the transfer for over an hour. It did transfer my eSIM, so I have service, but I’ve been reinstalling and signing into apps one by one. Without my apps, my brain is still on my Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. On top of that, my son had Halloween events at school, which is why this video came out late.

Learning to crawl again

In Messages, I usually press and hold to react with an emoji, and at first that wasn’t working for me. I also didn’t know how to send a GIF, and I send GIFs all the time. That’s on me for not using an iPhone in a long time, but it’s frustrating.

The outside display and controls

I haven’t put a case on yet, but I did put on my OhSnap Snapgrip stand. It fits fine, and without a grip I’d feel naked. The front display is beautiful. But pulling down quick toggles from the top-right means reaching near the camera, and I feel like I’ll smudge it. I thought I’d like the volume buttons on top, but so far I don’t. Reaching them is awkward.

The matte screen protector outdoors

I used the phone at an ice cream party, and outdoors the matte film made the inside display look not great. It was cloudy and rainy, but I could see a slightly hazy film, and the screen didn’t look super vibrant. Indoors it’s completely fine. I can always remove it.

Apps and the dock

I haven’t used enough apps yet to judge. Instagram looks pretty fine, though some elements look small depending on how you hold the phone. On the outside display, the dock bar takes up space that could go to the app. Other reviewers have mentioned that too, and it’s annoying.

Weight

So far the weight hasn’t really bothered me, though I can definitely feel it.

Help me out

I’m more frustrated than anything right now, but that’s not saying it’s a bad phone. I’m just not used to it yet. What should I test next on the iPhone Duo? Let me know in the comments on the video.

• OhSnap Snapgrip stand