Apple's first foldable competes well with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, at least in terms of specs. The iPhone Duo represents Apple's most radical reimagining of the smartphone, featuring a screen that bends shut. Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 8 last month, positioning it as a direct competitor to Apple’s new device. The Z Fold 8 is designed in a passport-style form factor, while the iPhone Duo follows a similar profile.
Samsung reported that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and its sibling, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, outsold the previous model, the Fold 7, by 30 percent in the first month. The iPhone Duo, with its stacked specs, is expected to challenge Samsung’s performance. Both devices feature a 7.6-inch inner display with a 120Hz refresh rate, though Apple’s screen has a slightly higher resolution. Samsung’s outer display is 5.5 inches, while Apple’s is 5.4 inches.
In terms of performance, the iPhone Duo’s A20 Pro chip, built on a 2nm process, outperforms Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which is built on a 3nm process. Apple claims 50 percent more memory bandwidth and a 40 percent faster GPU. However, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 includes 12GB RAM (or 16GB for the top-tier model), whereas Apple’s RAM capacity is not yet disclosed. Neither device features a telephoto lens, but Samsung’s cameras include two 50MP shooters (wide and ultrawide), while Apple’s iPhone Duo has a 48MP wide and ultrawide camera. Selfie cameras differ: Samsung has two 10MP front cameras, while Apple’s Duo includes a 12MP cover camera and an under-display camera (specs undisclosed).
Battery life is a point of contention. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a 4,800mAh battery with 45W wired charging, while the iPhone Duo’s battery capacity is not listed, but it supports 25W MagSafe charging. Apple’s iPhone Duo also features a fingerprint sensor in the power button, similar to Samsung’s design. In multitasking, Samsung’s One UI allows up to five apps in windowed mode, while Apple’s iOS 27 supports only two apps side-by-side.
Durability-wise, the iPhone Duo has an IP68 rating and a titanium build, making it more resistant to water and dust than Samsung’s IP48-rated Fold 8. Pricing is also a factor: the iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 and goes up to $3,199, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 ranges from $1,900 to $2,500. The verdict is that Apple’s iPhone Duo offers a compelling alternative for iPhone users seeking a foldable device, though Samsung’s foldables remain popular among enthusiasts.
Source: Engadget
