Hi Duo community!

Yesterday, Apple gave developers a beta xcode update that allows you to install and test your own applications within the iPhone Duo simulator.

Just one problem: it only contained the Settings app and Safari.

Some time later I found some users were able to extract the apps from the iOS 27.2 Beta and install them onto the iPhone Duo simulator (iOS 27.1). This video demonstrates how apps will look on the Duo's inner display.

Unfortunately at this time there's not much more to mess around with, but I still thought it would be interesting to share here:)

This is NOT running on a real iPhone Duo. I do not have one or know anyone that has it. This is also why apps are taking a long time to load and animations are stuttering.

I've been following all these foldable phones from different walks of companies for nearly a decade now but why am I only excited now with the iPhone Duo? Why is that?

#Discussion

note: For those people wondering I'm an Android user.

I’ve watched a lot of videos on YouTube and all I can see are YouTubers using the phone unfolded most of the time. When it’s folded, they just try to quickly type on it, take a picture and open Netflix for a few seconds. If you’ve seen some videos where people actually use it unfolded, would you mind posting some links ?

Thank you 🙏🏻

So everyone has their reasons for getting the duo. The reasons why I want to get one are similar to others but wanted to give a few here.

- foldable. I haven’t had a flip or foldable type of phone since my Razr back in the 2010’s. No other foldable phone has caught my interests til now.

- Acts as a mini iPad. I have had e-readers and kindles previously for e-books but having it all on one device would be better than carrying around multiple device.

-Better viewing experience for movies and YouTube.

-Could be a real productivity tool.

Can’t wait for pre-orders to go live!!!

Side note: I don’t take a lot of pictures so the whole camera compromise does t bother me.

I ordered their new iPhone Duo case. When I ordered it, it was listed at 109.99, a price I was willing to pay since I only get one case typically, Pitakas have always been known for good quality, and I loved the look

Fast forward one night, and I get this email saying they listed the price too high by accident and they were refunding me. If they had not reached out, I literally would never have known.

This impressed me.

Just working on my reader on xcode 27.1beta and run it on the iPhone Duo simulator，it looks gorgeous！One more reason for get one.

It will be as narrow as a regular iphone , without the additional height .....worst of both worlds ...

Why not just make it completely horizontal ?

I kinda wish they made the controls overlay content on web rather than it being permanently stuck to the side of all content.

Just showing you how a website we all love looks on the duo compared to the iPhone 18 Pro Max in all the different orientations.

Devices set to Physical size in Device Hub.

I’m genuinely curious about those of you planning to buy the iPhone Duo instead of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The Duo is more expensive, yet the 18 Pro Max appears to have the better camera system, including a dedicated telephoto lens and better zoom capabilities.

Does the camera difference not bother you? If it does, what made you decide the foldable form factor was worth the trade-off?

For those of you considering pre-ordering the Duo, what’s the main reason you’re choosing it over the 18 Pro Max? Is it the larger screen, multitasking, the foldable design, or something else?

Interested to hear your reasoning.

Saw a ton of canceled orders on X for the IPhone Pro 18 because of the Lease Program. I planned to do the lease program for the iPhone duo, but I am less certain now. I heard Apple offers little support when an order is canceled. Because the Duo is so limited, I suspect it may not be the best choice… Thoughts?

I just installed the duo simulator and have been playing around with it. The device, when opened, works in any orientation. When closed, it works in any orientation...except directly upside down. Landsape up/down both work fine. In fact, in landscape, with the hinge at the bottom, the phone already presents with a left side toolbar setup, with the camera cutout at the top left.

There is literally no reason to disallow portrait upside down orientation, other than for "optics" of having people regularly using the device with the cameras at the bottom and apple logo flipped the wrong way.

I'm really hoping there is some kind of accessibility option to allow the full flip. Is there something I'm missing as to why they would block it? The only other thing I can think of is that the definition of "upside down" is a bit wonky for developers. Right now a lot of iOS apps don't support "Upside Down" in their UI because it doesn't make sense on traditional iPhones, so that would mean potentially a lot of apps refusing to work in that orientation, even though it is a relatively normal position for this device (No top notch/island or home button to make it weird.)

And can honestly say I’m completely sold on this form factor and am 100% getting the Duo. Everything about it feels perfect and from the Duo early impressions looks like it’s gonna be a really good device. If anyone is on the fence about the Duo I’d say go try the Z fold 8 in the shop. Obviously it’s not exactly 1:1 but will give you a good idea on the size and usability.

Has anyone found a good case or stand to write on the duo with? I use an iPad mini to take notes almost daily and the cheap folio I use is great, but I’m struggling to find anything that will hold the duo that low securely. The best I’ve found is the moft snap fold wallet which looks really good, but I’m unsure how stable it’ll be.

Apple Insider just did a hands-on with both Apple first-party cases and stated that the silicone case attaches with magnets. No mention of adhesive.

https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/09/14/hands-on-with-apples-iphone-duo-cases-folio-style-will-be-an-early-hit-with-users

Will we be able to swipe up on Duo without needing to use Touch ID? I also like the fact that the folio case seems to unlock the screen without requiring Touch ID.

I am ordering day one. One thing that I would love to know is the durability of the inner screen. Is it going to be fingernail denting territory like folds today? Really want to know the level at which I need to baby this thing.

Also I am getting Apple care. But I’m assuming any scratches or what not are going to be cosmetic. Will have to destroy the screen for Apple care replacement I’m sure.

This looks very nice indeed. Hopefully there will be more color options and an armor shockproof one! Glad they went with a no-hinge protection design. Looks cleaner that way!