TechCrunch’s Sarah Perez shared her experience of using two iPhones on a recent vacation—the new $2,000 iPhone Duo and her regular iPhone 17 Pro Max. Initially skeptical due to the Duo’s unconventional design and software quirks, Perez found herself increasingly drawn to the foldable device throughout the trip, despite frustrations with app compatibility, the return to Touch ID, and a less advanced camera system. She noted that while the Duo felt smaller and different, it fit comfortably in pockets and was surprisingly durable against drops and pressure.

One notable hurdle was the absence of Face ID on the Duo, replaced by Touch ID, which complicated unlocking and payments, especially when carrying multiple items simultaneously. Apps unoptimized for the Duo’s unique display sometimes displayed awkward black bars, and essential apps like Google Search occasionally froze in AI mode. However, several developers have already started releasing updates to enhance app compatibility, and Perez felt these issues were more inconveniences than dealbreakers.

Perez acknowledged the Duo’s camera was less sophisticated than the Pro Max’s, lacking a telephoto lens and professional-grade photo and video capabilities. Still, the Duo’s camera sufficed for casual use such as social media sharing and vacation snapshots. She shared multiple sample photos demonstrating the differences, highlighting that while not for serious photography, the Duo met the needs of everyday users.

Ultimately, the iPhone Duo won Perez over due to its unique foldable form factor from Apple, which combined whimsy with practical benefits like split-screen multitasking and easy durability. The design encouraged more deliberate phone use rather than continuous scrolling common with larger smartphones. With Apple’s careful engineering and the growing app ecosystem adapting to Duo’s foldable format, Perez concluded this device offers a fun, engaging alternative to conventional iPhones and signals a promising future for mainstream foldables.