Bye-Bye, iPad. The iPhone Duo Could Be the All-in-One You Need
Apple just added to its stacked lineup of personal devices with new models of the iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and its first foldable iPhone, officially called the iPhone Duo.
CNET Senior Tech Reporter Abrar Al-Heeti got one of the first looks. The foldable design resembles a passport that has a 7.6-inch display inside and a 5.4-inch display outside.
Before today, Apple really didn’t have a device that sat between an iPhone and an iPad. The iPad mini is bigger than the iPhone Duo, with a screen size of a little over 8 inches. But the iPhone Duo’s functionality and bigger screen size make me wonder if it’s the perfect handheld device if you’re already considering a new iPhone and iPad.
CNET Director of Content Patrick Holland previously told me a foldable phone, like Samsung’s Z Fold lineup and Galaxy Tab series, is a niche product and isn’t meant to replace the iPhone model you may be used to. But it makes me wonder if the iPhone Duo is Apple’s way of selling to those who want one device to do the work of two. Especially if you’re already considering upgrading your personal devices ahead of the holidays.
Let’s do the math.
Say you’re eyeing the iPhone 17 base model (256GB), which now starts at $899. But maybe you want an iPad with more power and speed for other tasks, so you pick the iPad Pro, which starts at $1,200. Boom. You’ve already spent $100 more than the $2,000 iPhone Duo.
Or maybe you want the iPhone 18 Pro Max (256GB) for $1,300 and the iPad mini for $600 — totaling $1,900. That’s $100 less than the Duo’s starting price, but the extra money may be worth it if you want the convenience of having one device instead of two. Especially since the iPhone Duo is packed with features and specs like Dual Capture to FaceTime on the front and rear cameras simultaneously. The ultrawide and main cameras are both 48 megapixels, and it has a powerful battery that gives you up to 24 hours of power if you use both displays. And the real bonus is the A20 Pro chip for better speed and performance. Plus, you can still expect all the bells and whistles iOS offers.
The CNET team will conduct a full hands-on test of the iPhone Duo soon to point out all of the perks and pain points. But take it from me, as someone who has a MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iPhone 17 Pro Max, I rarely use all of those devices. The iPhone Duo could be one device that suits all of your needs. (Or at least two out of three.) And maybe that’s a new audience that Apple’s hoping to capture.
Senior Consumer Insights Editor
Dashia is the consumer insights editor for CNET. She specializes in data-driven analysis and news at the intersection of tech, personal finance and consumer sentiment. Dashia investigates economic shifts and everyday challenges to help readers make well-informed decisions, and she covers a range of topics, including technology, security, energy and money. Dashia graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She loves baking, teaching spinning and spending time with her family. See full bio
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