Review: Apple iPhone Duo weighs 254g, features 7.6-inch foldable display

Early hands-on testing of Apple's first foldable phone reveals a heavier but more pocketable device with a significantly thicker closed profile.

Threat Times Systems DeskOctober 21, 20262 min read

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Illustration: A bulky smartphone rests on a clean white desk with its large screen folded in half. — AI-generated illustration: Threat Times

Key points

The iPhone Duo weighs 254 grams, which is five grams more than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
When closed, the device is 11.3mm thick, representing a 29% increase over the iPhone 18 Pro.
The internal display measures 7.6 inches, while the folded footprint is 117.8mm tall.

Apple has released its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, marking the most significant change to the device's form factor in nearly two decades. According to a review by 9to5Mac, the phone combines a compact, notebook-style exterior with an iPad-like inner display. The reviewer spent one week testing the device to evaluate its physical characteristics and usability.

The iPhone Duo weighs 254 grams, making it five grams heavier than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Despite the added mass, the reviewer found the device more comfortable to hold due to its shorter and squatter design. However, using the phone one-handed for extended periods caused wrist fatigue. The weight distribution differs notably from previous large-screen models.

Physical Dimensions and Design

When closed, the iPhone Duo measures 11.3mm in thickness, which is 29% thicker than the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Unfolding the device reduces its thickness to 5.2mm, making it thinner than the iPhone Air, which measures 5.64mm. The hinge mechanism enables this transformation between the compact closed state and the larger open display.

The folded footprint of the iPhone Duo is 117.8mm tall and 84.1mm wide. This makes the device 45.6mm shorter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, though it is 6.1mm wider. The reviewer noted that this shorter, wider shape improved pocketability despite the increased thickness and weight. The trade-off allows for a 7.6-inch internal display when opened.

User Experience and Comfort

The reviewer stated that the iPhone Duo is surprisingly comfortable to carry in pockets because of its altered dimensions. The compact folded size compensates for the bulkiness when the device is not in use. Once unfolded, the large screen provides a tablet-like experience that the reviewer deemed worth the physical trade-offs.

One-handed use remains challenging due to the 254-gram weight. The reviewer experienced wrist strain during prolonged single-handed operation. However, the overall handling was rated as more manageable than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which the reviewer previously described as being at the edge of acceptable weight.

What should you do?

Readers interested in the iPhone Duo should consider how the increased thickness and weight affect their daily carry habits. Those upgrading from the iPhone 18 Pro Max may find the new form factor more pocketable despite the extra grams. Users should evaluate whether the 7.6-inch display benefits their workflow enough to justify the physical compromises.

What to do and how to stay safe: Apple

Measure your current phone against the iPhone Duo's folded dimensions (117.8mm x 84.1mm) to assess pocket fit.
Evaluate if your daily routine involves prolonged one-handed use, which may cause wrist strain with this 254g device.
Compare the 11.3mm closed thickness against your preference for slim devices, noting it is 29% thicker than the iPhone 18 Pro.
Consider if the 7.6-inch unfolded display offers sufficient productivity gains to offset the bulkier closed profile.

Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.