According to Engadget, Apple's upcoming iPhone Duo is a striking device but comes with notable compromises. The foldable drops FaceID entirely, relying instead on a TouchID sensor in the power button, and it also omits the Camera Control button found on other iPhone models. Engadget notes that the Duo lacks true multi-window multitasking, reinforcing the sense that it is aimed at media consumption rather than creative work.
The camera system is a major downgrade from the iPhone 18 Pro. The Duo has two 48-megapixel rear lenses but no periscope telephoto, mechanical aperture, or LiDAR scanner. It also misses out on Pro Controls, ProRAW, and spatial photo and video. The under-display FaceTime camera on the inner screen is another concern: Apple has not disclosed its megapixel count, and Engadget points out that under-display cameras on other foldables have consistently produced poor images.
For buyers, the tradeoffs may be acceptable if the folding display is the priority. But for users who rely on FaceID, advanced photography, or pro-level camera controls, the iPhone 18 Pro or another traditional model may be a better fit. Engadget's assessment suggests Apple is positioning the Duo as a lifestyle device, not a replacement for its flagship slab phones.