1rottenapple
macrumors 603
I say go for it. Maybe wait till the extended returns from apple so you can try it out for 1.5 months w/o issue. Then sell or keep your devices. I can appreciate the cool factor of the duo.
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iPhone Duo Justifying the iPhone Duo
- Thread starter ChantyBinx
- Start date
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Buyers who have to justify the purchase for any reason whatsoever, are going to be grossly disappointed at some point.
Initially it may be the dull mat finish of the inner display. Or how it negatively impacts the beautiful colors and contrast that would show... if not for the dullness of the display.
Failing to go into a store to hold the phone, notice the pros and cons, like the oddly placed volume buttons, is a serious mistake. Failing to have a first hand experience with just how heavy, cumbersome and awkward it is before making the purchase is careless.
Ordering the Duo online without seeing it in person is a big mistake... Oh sure they might argue it can be returned, but does one really want to go to that time and trouble all because you ordered it sight unseen? What about those who trade-in their old phone for the Duo only to find out they don't like it and are returning it.
Buyers ending up with something that doesn't meet their expectations will be a big part of this phones story. As iconic as the Apple brand is, as powerful as they are, the Vision Pro proves they are not without failures from time to time.
It does seem that as good as some aspects of this phone are, there's lots of variables and downsides that can only be discovered by a visit to the Apple Store. Some of which will highly likely be deal breakers.
As the old saying goes "It's buyer beware"
Initially it may be the dull mat finish of the inner display. Or how it negatively impacts the beautiful colors and contrast that would show... if not for the dullness of the display.
Failing to go into a store to hold the phone, notice the pros and cons, like the oddly placed volume buttons, is a serious mistake. Failing to have a first hand experience with just how heavy, cumbersome and awkward it is before making the purchase is careless.
Ordering the Duo online without seeing it in person is a big mistake... Oh sure they might argue it can be returned, but does one really want to go to that time and trouble all because you ordered it sight unseen? What about those who trade-in their old phone for the Duo only to find out they don't like it and are returning it.
Buyers ending up with something that doesn't meet their expectations will be a big part of this phones story. As iconic as the Apple brand is, as powerful as they are, the Vision Pro proves they are not without failures from time to time.
It does seem that as good as some aspects of this phone are, there's lots of variables and downsides that can only be discovered by a visit to the Apple Store. Some of which will highly likely be deal breakers.
As the old saying goes "It's buyer beware"
techTAG
macrumors 6502
Justifying the Duo is like justifying anything else, completely your choice based on needs, wants and can-do.
If you’re going to put yourself in debt for it, I say don’t do it (been there, glad to be out)
If you have to go through all that trouble, I find it hard to justify as you would only have one point of failure where if you have two devices (Mac and phone), if one breaks, you can technically use the other until repairs are done.
I’m getting the fold, first in line, forcing myself awake at pre order time, already saved in cart with a timer on how many days and minutes to go before pre order and launch. But, I have also been saving up for it, I am on an iPhone 14 Pro, held back on buying any new tech because I wanted this phone so bad.
Is it a gimmick? Probably! Just like the VisionPro is, but I’m aware of that, and I tend to use it as such. It’s a phone with an iPad nano when needed.
So, my 2c, if you want it (part of you does or you wouldn’t be posting), and can afford it, do it, if you need to jeopardize anything to have it…. Ask yourself this, what would the fold give you today that you cannot do with what you currently have? Once you have that answer, is that item or list worth all the selling and trade ins for it?
If you’re going to put yourself in debt for it, I say don’t do it (been there, glad to be out)
If you have to go through all that trouble, I find it hard to justify as you would only have one point of failure where if you have two devices (Mac and phone), if one breaks, you can technically use the other until repairs are done.
I’m getting the fold, first in line, forcing myself awake at pre order time, already saved in cart with a timer on how many days and minutes to go before pre order and launch. But, I have also been saving up for it, I am on an iPhone 14 Pro, held back on buying any new tech because I wanted this phone so bad.
Is it a gimmick? Probably! Just like the VisionPro is, but I’m aware of that, and I tend to use it as such. It’s a phone with an iPad nano when needed.
So, my 2c, if you want it (part of you does or you wouldn’t be posting), and can afford it, do it, if you need to jeopardize anything to have it…. Ask yourself this, what would the fold give you today that you cannot do with what you currently have? Once you have that answer, is that item or list worth all the selling and trade ins for it?
My justification is that I want it and will appreciate the unique features it offers while not missing those it doesn’t. Pretty simple. And I find the price to be perfectly reasonable given it falls directly between Samsung’s fold 8 and fold 8 ultra prices, not that I’m cross-shopping Androids, but just as a reference point.
I keep wanting to justify it from a practical perspective because the idea of it seems cool, but as someone who's workflow generally goes MacBook+iPad pro+iPad mini+iPhone(17 pro) I think some of the main draw for the "iphone/ipad-combo-in-one" sales pitch of the Duo ultimately doesn't pay off for me particularly in relation to the width and heft of the device making it presumably a bit more unwieldy when taking on-the-go or one-hand. Also not really a fan of the magsafe wallet incompatibility since I do really like using those on-the-go as well.
I think ultimately I'll just wind up getting an 18 Pro in that nice icy Glacier Blue color. I just don't think the drawbacks are something overcome by the benefits for my use cases.
I think ultimately I'll just wind up getting an 18 Pro in that nice icy Glacier Blue color. I just don't think the drawbacks are something overcome by the benefits for my use cases.
I'm a huge fan of foldables but for some reason am not that interested in the iPhone Duo 1st Gen. Maybe it's because the lack of an action button, FaceID and increased weight vs my Air are all downgrades. Also I'm typing this from a Z Fold 5 I picked up a month ago for $388. I use the Air as my daily and the Fold (no cell plan; Hotspot or wifi only) when I want fold-ability. This seems to work great! I'll definitely reconsider if the Duo drops down to $1000 or less secondhand or when the second gen comes along.
Which models of foldable phone that you owned turned into bulky slabs that you didn't really unfold after awhile?
Which limitations on the iPhone Air became unbearable? And if the iPhone Air's limitations were too much, you definitely are doing the right thing by skipping the Duo. FaceID, action button, and the compromised normal-screen form factor are noteworthy considerations.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
Need rarely is the real issue here on MR. lol Is is always "want" with Apple toys.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
The fact that you feel you have to justify the purchase to yourself should be a big red flag to not buy. Creating a thread on an Apple fanatic forum often distorts real world reality.
Dirk Pieters
macrumors 6502a
I definitely see replacing your iPhone Air + iPad Pro with a Duo working. The unknown here is your M4 MBP Air.
You will be giving up macOS and all the possibilities that come with it. You say your computing needs have become light but it's hard for us to understand what that means. Even if that M4 MBP Air runs only one single app that you need ... that app might not exist on your Duo.
In short: if your computing needs don't require macOS, then it certainly seems a possibility.
TechRunner
macrumors 68030
The Duo is the same price as the Gibson J45 Special I'm drooling over/saving for, so I'm with you on the musical instruments priority.
profmjh
macrumors 68000
Predominantly the camera set-up. Also it seemed poor at picking up cellular data service compared with other phones on the same network.
The Duo has its place, but Apple have consciously made a big iPhone instead of a small tablet. It doesn't 'do' anything an existing model already can't and doesn't yet have enough utility to replace an iPad.
This was a tough decision, but yesterday, I went to Apple and traded in my 11" iPad Pro (which I never use) and my iPhone 16 Pro Max to help subsidize the cost of the iPhone Duo. With taxes included, my final cost of the Duo would be $836, and I own the device. If a better Duo comes out next year, I have something valuable to trade in toward it.
I suppose after buying the same Pro Max phone for years, I want something different.
Yes, I lose the Pro camera functions. However, I rarely use them. I am a point and shoot guy. As long as I can go on vacation and take great photos, I am happy. I think the Duo will do that.
And, I gave up an 11" iPad Pro which I rarely use. But now I have a tablet device that is large enough for me to use it for reading Apple News+ magazines and books.
Honestly my biggest grip with the Duo is the matte finish. You lose the "pop" of videos that iPhone screens provide.
Still, it's an exciting device. I had collateral to trade in for it, and I am purchasing collateral to trade in for a better Duo in the next two years.
It may not make complete financial sense, but it gets me a beautiful foldable device that I can easily trade in again.
I suppose after buying the same Pro Max phone for years, I want something different.
Yes, I lose the Pro camera functions. However, I rarely use them. I am a point and shoot guy. As long as I can go on vacation and take great photos, I am happy. I think the Duo will do that.
And, I gave up an 11" iPad Pro which I rarely use. But now I have a tablet device that is large enough for me to use it for reading Apple News+ magazines and books.
Honestly my biggest grip with the Duo is the matte finish. You lose the "pop" of videos that iPhone screens provide.
Still, it's an exciting device. I had collateral to trade in for it, and I am purchasing collateral to trade in for a better Duo in the next two years.
It may not make complete financial sense, but it gets me a beautiful foldable device that I can easily trade in again.