It's been a busy few days. In the fallout of the iPhone Duo reveal at the "Surprise and Shine" event, we have some thoughts. What are yours?
The 77 minute event was bookended by the latest iPhone models, a bunch of Apple Health updates related to more powerful Apple Watches, and a smidge on AirPods 5. Tim Cook made a cameo, Johnny Srouji had a sore throat, and yes, there's a foldable iPhone.
The AppleInsider staff comes in many shapes, sizes, and opinions that run the gamut. For every devout staffer hyped about the latest release, there's a skeptic worried about the implications.
Here's what the staff thought, and perhaps if they're ready to share, what they plan on buying.
All I can say for certain is that the iPhone Duo means I've no interest at all now in the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Other than that, I vacillate between wanting to buy an iPhone Duo and then really seriously doubting why.
Cost is of course a factor but what most prevents me deciding to buy is how the opened-up screen will feel in use. Some of the actors in Apple's video looked a little awkward holding that wide screen in one hand while tapping away with the other.
Like with the iPad, developers will have to fix their apps to take advantage of the Duo's new proportions. Web developers will have to work to make their sites look good on the unit.
So, those are all usability concerns. All iPhone apps look terrible on iPad, if they didn't get updated.
I'm also unsure about how it will feel when closed. It's definitely squat and somehow that feels like a compromise. The question is whether I would use it most open or closed and I cannot figure that out right now.
Apple Watch Series 12 made an appearance at the event too
Still, I might fixated on the iPhone Duo for myself, but it was actually the Apple Watch that I immediately talked with friends about. I've friends who use various medical wearables and it seemed to me that the new Apple Watch Series 12 could do at least a lot of what they like.
One is thinking about it and I've told her to just give me the nod when she wants a present.
Apparently there were also AirPods at the event but they didn't really even register with me. I do like that they noise cancelling version costs less than the previous version, but that's really because everyone should have active noice cancellation in their lives.
For whatever reason the iPhone Duo name didn't leak in any real way until hours before the Apple Event. It was such a well-kept secret, I wondered if it would ever release, let alone be announced in September.
iPhone Duo is real and it's an interesting new product from Apple
As June came and went with more hints about a foldable hidden in code, I made a call — if there is an iPhone Fold, I need to buy one to evaluate. Lo and behold, Apple revealed the iPhone Duo.
Before I go further, the rest of the event went great.
I loved the Cook appearance even if the opening video was among Apple's least interesting. AirPods 5 definitely exist, and I'm certain most of the Apple Watch section was about features coming to everyone, though the new hardware has key improvements.
As I watched the iPhone 18 Pro reveal with variable aperture and a more powerful chipset, I was deeply afraid I was about to miss out on an excellent upgrade. As someone that loves photography, I find it very important to carry the best possible camera with me, and that's always been iPhone in the past decade.
The new variable aperture system uses a rotor to control shutter blades thinner than hair
Variable aperture is such a useful idea even if the range only goes from f/1.48 to f/4.0. Apple's example photos are incredible, of course, but I do wonder how this feature would actually affect day-to-day shooting.
Sadly, I won't be able to find out, because I'm ordering the iPhone Duo. When CEO John Ternus stepped out to reveal his "one more thing," I forgot all of my reservations and was ready to be excited.
The iPhone Duo is stunning. Apple's specialty of blending hardware and software is front and center with this product. It seems Apple has even found a way to virtually eliminate the crease and hide what may exist from view thanks to nano texture.
An opening and closing animation makes the dual displays feel more connected
Everything about this product depends on the software experience, and the rethought iOS shows Apple really thought this out. I can only hope developers support the platform in a way they never bothered with Apple Vision Pro.
Luckily, supporting iPhone Duo is significantly more straightforward.
Even the camera system is well implemented from general photography use to FaceTime calls. The Fusion Main camera appears to be the same camera system, sans variable aperture, offered with iPhone 18 Pro, and the Fusion Ultra Wide is identical.
I was ready to buy a dedicated point-and-shoot camera to supplement what could have been a bad camera experience. Apple may have convinced me not to with iPhone Duo, but you'll have to wait for the review to see if they've succeeded.
