Apple iPhone Duo Review Roundup: Great Hinge, No Telephoto and a Rs 2,99,900 Price Tag

The first reviews of the iPhone Duo are out, and the verdict is largely positive. Critics say Apple got its first foldable mostly right, with a smooth hinge and a well-thought-out design. But for Indian buyers, the bigger question is whether a phone that starts at Rs 2,99,900 is worth it.

What reviewers liked

The 7.6-inch inner display gets the most attention. Engadget found the switch between the 5.4-inch outer screen and the inner one very smooth, and said the matte nano-texture finish cuts reflections and helps hide the crease. CNET liked that it opens fully flat and found the big screen most useful for longer tasks.

The hinge is another highlight. Engadget rates it among the best it has used on any foldable, since it holds the phone partly open and doesn't feel loose. TechRadar called the design "Apple at its best," while Wired said the passport-style shape keeps the outer screen properly usable.

Where it falls short

The Duo has two 48MP cameras, a main and an ultra-wide, with no telephoto lens. Engadget says photo quality matches the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, but the iPhone 18 Pro is still the better camera phone. CNET hopes Apple adds a telephoto camera and Face ID in a future version. CNET also found typing in landscape mode a bit of a stretch. Tom's Guide found the phone heavier and thicker than expected, though it still called the Duo the foldable to beat.

The India math

In India, the iPhone Duo costs Rs 2,99,900 for 256GB, Rs 3,24,900 for 512GB, Rs 3,74,900 for 1TB and Rs 4,49,900 for 2TB. In the US, it starts at $1,999, roughly Rs 1.9 lakh. Import duties and 18 percent GST explain part of that gap, but Indian buyers are still paying over Rs 1 lakh more.

The comparison with Samsung is harder to ignore. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 launched in India at Rs 1,79,999 with a similar 7.6-inch inner screen and dual 50MP cameras. Reviewers rate the two on par for photos, yet the Duo costs about Rs 1.2 lakh more. And if you consider the repair costs, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a way safer and logical deal if you want to keep the risk of losing lakhs of rupees.

Getting one is the other problem. The Duo goes on sale on October 23 through Apple's online store, Apple BKC in Mumbai, Apple Saket in Delhi and authorised retailers. However, pre-orders in India sold out within an hour of opening on October 16, and fresh orders now show a delivery date of January 23, 2027.

Should you buy it

If you are already deep in Apple's ecosystem and want a tablet-sized screen in your pocket, the Duo is the most polished way to get it. If the camera matters more to you, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900 and gives you a telephoto lens for Rs 1.35 lakh less.