The iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Which foldable has the edge?
After so many months of speculation, Apple finally unveiled the foldable iPhone Duo. When the "Surprise and Shine" keynote wrapped, one of Mashable's senior reporters even got to check out the device in a crowded Apple Park demo room.
The iPhone Duo will be officially released on Oct. 23, and you'll have to wait until then for a proper review. However, I have spent a lot of time with the device's biggest competition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.
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So, how do these two flagship foldables compare?
iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Cost
Before the Apple iPhone event, rumors pegged the iPhone Duo's price somewhere between $2,000 and $2,300, so the final $1,999 price tag was a pleasant surprise. Of course, that's still a massive investment for most people, as is the Z Fold 8, which has a starting price of $1,899.99. Both phones come with 256GB of storage and can be upgraded with more.
The 2TB version of the iPhone Duo will cost a whopping $3,199, whereas the Z Fold 8 doesn't have a 2TB version.
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iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Design
To be honest, I wasn't sure what to make of the iPhone Duo's design based on the leaks. The rounded corners and D-shaped outer display reminded me of the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and not in a good way. However, after its big reveal, I have to admit that I was totally wrong: I think Apple nailed the design.
The iPhone Duo has a sleek, futuristic look, and when unfolded, it takes on a more sculptural shape. By comparison, the Z Fold 8 looks a little boxy and utilitarian.
Both phones are also remarkably thin. Unfolded, the Duo is Apple's thinnest phone ever at just 5.2mm. The Z Fold 8 is even thinner, a mere 4.5 mm when unfolded. The Z Fold 8 is also significantly lighter.
iPhone Duo vs. Z Fold 8: Displays and creases
Here's how the displays compare specs-wise:
iPhone Duo: 7.6-inch inner Super Retina XDR display and 5.4-inch outer Super Retina XDR display
Galaxy Z Fold 8: 7.6-inch inner AMOLED display and a 5.5-inch outer AMOLED display
Crucially, the iPhone Duo has Apple's premium nano-texture display. Because this minimizes reflections on the device, the crease should be even less visible on the Duo, and it all but disappears in early photos and videos of the device. The combination of Liquid Glass, Super Retina XDR, and nano texture results in an impressive display that will be very hard to beat.
That being said, the Z Fold 8 also has impressive AMOLED displays and a nearly invisible crease. There's a reason Apple tapped Samsung to manufacture the iPhone Duo's flexible display, after all.
iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: The cameras
In my review of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, I noted that the device's cameras were its biggest drawback. If you want a Pro-level camera array, you'll need to upgrade to the pricier Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
In comparison, the iPhone Duo appears to make fewer compromises on its cameras. Let's start by breaking down the specs:
iPhone Duo cameras: 48-megapixel main camera, 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera, 12MP Center Stage selfie camera, and an under-display FaceTime camera
Galaxy Z Fold 8 cameras: 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera
While 50MP might seem to automatically beat 48MP, don't be so sure. Image quality has as much to do with the phone's processor as the cameras themselves, and Apple's new A20 Pro chip sounds like a killer. However, Apple is just now introducing AI photo editing features in iOS 27 that have been standard on Samsung Galaxy phones for a couple of years.
We obviously haven't been able to test the iPhone Duo's selfie cameras yet, but this is another area where Apple has an apparent edge.
I hated the Z Fold 8's 10MP selfie camera, which is so useless I wondered why Samsung included it at all. It merely takes up space on the inner display. The under-display FaceTime camera will probably have quality issues as well, but it won't take up precious pixel space. Apple also has an additional Center Stage selfie camera on the rear of the device. On other iPhones, the Center Stage camera has been great for taking vertical and horizontal selfies without flipping the phone in your hands, among other perks.
Apple StandBy mode
During the iPhone Duo introduction, Apple was keen to show the device acting as a smart alarm clock on a nightstand. This is part of the phone's StandBy mode, which allows you to "turn your iPhone Duo into a clock, photo frame, or a display for the weather, calendar or your favorite widgets." (Please don't leave
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 also supports multitasking and side-by-side apps, of course. But while the Z Fold 8 is primarily designed for multitasking, Apple StandBy mode is a fun twist. The prospect of using your iPhone Duo as a smart picture frame while you're at your desk is certainly interesting.
We'll have to wait and see how it works IRL.
iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Which is the better foldable?
We can't answer this question until we've properly tested the foldable iPhone Duo. But some things to consider as you mull whether to preorder the device:
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is our favorite Android foldable released yet
The iPhone Duo's design and camera features will be very hard to beat
Both phones have impressive displays, though the nano-texture coating may give Apple a slight edge
Apple emphasized that the iPhone Duo was designed for durability in the long-term, and it's IP68 dust and water-resistant; the Z Fold 8 has a slightly less impressive IP48 certification
iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: By the numbers
Want to see the full list of specs side by side?
iPhone Duo specifications:
Inner display: 7.6-inch inner and 5.5-inch outer AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rate
Cameras: 48-megapixel main camera, 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera, 12MP Center Stage selfie camera, and an under-display FaceTime camera
Processor: Apple A20 Pro chipset
Colors: White, deep blue
Dimensions: 164.6 x 117.8 x 5.2mm unfolded / 84.1 x 117.8 x 11.3mm folded
Weight: 254 grams
RAM: 12GB to 24GB RAM
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage
Charging: 60W wired, 30W wireless
Peak brightness: Up to 3,000 nits
Water resistance: IP68 water and dust resistant
Galaxy Z Fold 8 specifications
Display: 7.6-inch inner and 5.5-inch outer AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rate
Cameras: 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset
Colors: Lavender, cream, graphite, and pistachio
Dimensions: 123.9 x 161.4 x 4.5 mm unfolded / 123.9 x 81.9 x 9.7 mm unfolded
Weight: 201 grams
RAM: 12GB to 16GB RAM
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage
Battery: 4,800mAh battery
Charging: 45W wired, 20W wireless
Peak brightness: Up to 3,000 nits
Water resistance: IP48 water and dust resistant
Follow our Apple event live blog to catch up on the latest news and announcements from the "Surprise and Shine" keynote, with live updates from Apple Park.
Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.
Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.
