iPhone Duo Why the iPhone Fold will Fail [MERGED] [MEGA THREAD]

[ayephoner]

But when it is closed, does it function as an iPhone as successfully as a real one. Will all my apps be usable straight out of the box?

In one review video (I forget which one), the guy pointed out that if you are doing something with a keyboard on the screen, it will take up way more space (relatively) than a normal iphone screen. And if you're using safari with a keyboard and an address bar, there is just very little area left for the actual website to be displayed. Of course he pointed that out, but then didn't show that in use...

 

[surferfb]

Just wait till the wider public learns that the inner screen has a plastic top layer that you can damage with your fingernail.

I mean we people here know that, but I can tell you that for the large majority of people who barely know folding phones exist, that will come as a massive surprise and it will be an entire news cycle.

I am concerned about that, but given they’re offering Pencil support, maybe it’s not an issue on Apple’s implementation? If a fingernail could damage I’d think certainly the Pencil tip would too.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

Because in your first post, you said this without the reservations you later posted:

• Because of the folding capability, and this is a big deal, it has to have a PLASTIC SCREEN.

The top layer isn't the screen, it's the top protective layer. So it's not accurate to say that since the top layer is plastic, that makes the whole display assembly a "plastic screen".

It’s plastic. Also, there are so many layers on the inner screen it’s incredible anything can be seen on the screen.

 

[msackey]

Not so sure the iPhone Duo will fail. Folding phones are a big thing in East Asia or more specifically, China. Apple products are still considered premium there so Apple fans in China will now have access to a folding phone in the Apple ecosystem

 

[Pbwallstreet]

When you close a foldable phone's display, the phone is the size of a regular phone and therefore still portable. Nobody is going to want to open these phones and then try to fit them back into their pockets while still opened, so being able to unfold to mini-tablet size doesn't compromise their portability.

The folded size is not the size of a regular phone. It is a totally different shape: short and fat. So much so they had to move the dock to the middle right of the screen.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

That's why folding phones also have a smaller outside display, so they can be used folded when standing in line at the grocery store. Not many people spend all their time standing in line at the grocery store with a basket in one hand.

That’s my point. Across many use cases, people do not want a tablet anymore than they want a lawnmower that flies. They have the right tool for the job. With foldable phones, you’re stuck with the design compromises for a function - tablet conversion - that you don’t need and want in the same way you’re stuck with wings on a lawnmower that you don’t need and want.

 

[msackey]

By letting Samsung go first and create the category years ago, Apple is not heading down an unknown path. The take rate on foldables, growing every year, is a known quantity.

Yup. And it’s very popular in China which is a huge market. I don’t think we can take the US market to be representative of the rest of the world. In some ways, we are technologically behind, especially compared to East Asia.

Whereas we in the US primarily still stick with phone messaging, China has moved on to platforms like WeChat, purchases by phone, QR code purchasing, and not to mention investment in different energy resources like wind and electric. Meanwhile in the US, there’s a good segment of our population still bedazzled by fossil fuel.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

View attachment 2660840

That crease would drive me insane

That sandpaper screen would also drive me insane.

 

[Ethosik]

This is a forum…. AVP is a flop, even if you might like it. If somebody makes a painting thinking it will sell at an auction for 1 million but somebody buys it for 10k. It is a flop, even though the buyer might like it.

Yes. Someone (many I bet) out there thinks Concord is an amazing game. But it flopped.

 

[surferfb]

The folded size is not the size of a regular phone. It is a totally different shape: short and fat. So much so they had to move the dock to the middle right of the screen.

It’s not that much wider than the Pro Max.

(Courtesy of https://bsky.app/profile/rhllzo.bsky.social)

 

[msackey]

Why do people buy iPads? It's just a larger iPhone. And there's the problem being solved.

The foldable iPhone is for anyone that needs a larger screen than the iPhone Pro Max, but can still fit in a pocket and use one-handed. You can ditch your iPad mini, eliminate the second data plan (for some), only carry one device, and finally have an iPad mini experience with 120Hz ProMotion.

It’s interesting to see time and again people unable to imagine beyond their own world.

Have you seen professional choirs lately? Most choristers I’ve seen have in the past two years dramatically switch from paper to tablets. I’m not a chorister nor a musician, but I have noticed.

That’s one example.

Oh, music editors of publishing houses also have long adopted tablets alongside their laptops.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

Does anyone have information whether that inner screen nano-texture polymer material with scratch protection coating is a removable film?
In first hands-on videos I noticed this shiny gap between the matte black borders and the matte inner screen area which you also find on most other Folds. This looks like a removable film to me just like on every other Fold out there (except for the Pixel Fold where the inner removable film is a bit larger than the screen area and is hidden under the borders but still needs to be serviced).

It’s permanent. It’s effectively the same crap as other foldable screens like Samsung. In the documentation for Samsung foldables, they also state not to use screen protectors because it can damage that polymer coating and cause issues when the screen bends.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

It’s not that much wider than the Pro Max.

View attachment 2660933

(Courtesy of https://bsky.app/profile/rhllzo.bsky.social)

Yes I know. Meaning it’s wider. And it’s to the extent that they had to place the dock to the right. I have seen some videos of people showing how they can’t get all the way over on the screen with their thumb. This is going to force two handed use more often for a chunk of people.

 

[msackey]

At under 2% of the total market, foldables absolutely qualify as “niche”. As to whether that remains true in the future is anyone’s guess.

Macs used to be niche. Anyone who primarily used Macs in the 80s and 90s will know this experience.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

could you explain that when you say a product will "fail", what exactly do you mean by "fail"? Please be as specific as you can, because only then we can all talk about the same thing.

Incredible that you respond to my original post where I specifically define failure and you are asking this…

 

[Pbwallstreet]

I might as well have written this:

Why I Regret Buying a Foldable Phone (And Why You Should Think Twice About the iPhone Duo)

The iPhone Duo looks great on paper, but after 12 months with a Galaxy Z Fold, I've learned why two screens aren't better than one.

ca.pcmag.com

 

[Luftkopf]

Having long complained about folding phones, Apple has impressed me with the Duo. I like what they've done with iOS, and they directly addressed the issue I have with the inner screens on other folding phones, but we'll have to wait and see how well they did.

Having watched the launch, it has solidified my opinion. This will do well in its niche. It's absurdly expensive, and complicated, and the demand for folding phones isn't massive, but they have a place. This will have its place.

 

[Luftkopf]

I might as well have written this:

Why I Regret Buying a Foldable Phone (And Why You Should Think Twice About the iPhone Duo)

The iPhone Duo looks great on paper, but after 12 months with a Galaxy Z Fold, I've learned why two screens aren't better than one.

ca.pcmag.com

Yeah, that sounds like the experience of the only person I know in real life who owns a folding phone. He mostly just unfolds it to show people, but hardly ever to just use it.

 

[hovscorpion12]

I might as well have written this:

Why I Regret Buying a Foldable Phone (And Why You Should Think Twice About the iPhone Duo)

The iPhone Duo looks great on paper, but after 12 months with a Galaxy Z Fold, I've learned why two screens aren't better than one.

ca.pcmag.com

I'm sorry, but 2 seconds into the article and the writer is talking about a Z Fold 6. Immediately discredited.

We're on the Z Fold 8/8 Ultra which is light years ahead of the Z Fold 6 in terms of everything. Screen Size, durability, weight. if you're going to talk about the iPhone Duo, you use a modern foldable to compare.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

The Duo is also getting a lot of criticism for its price too, and I don't use X so have no idea what is on there. I guess evertone will be buying the duo then and i am wrong.

I have been following Apple for almost 2 decades, every single new Apple release is accompanied by complaints about the price.
There were complaints when the iPhone 6+ was an extra $100 over at smaller counterpart.
there were complaints when Apple previewed the Apple Watch in 2014 and said that it would start at $349. “ you’re telling me that it’s $150 more than a subsidized iPhone?”
There were complaints when AirPods first came out. “ who’s gonna spend $200 on earbuds that you have to charge and look like Q-tips poking out of your ears.”
There were complaints when the iPhone X started at $999, despite Samsung releasing $950, $1000+ galaxy note phones for several years. “ who’s gonna spend MacBook Air money for a phone?”


Somehow people have managed. Carriers provide subsidies, trade-ins, and Instalment plans, almost no one is actually spending full price.
After an iPhone and iPad trade-in, the duo quickly drops to under $1000 straight from Apple. Carriers are going to have even better discounts.
For its segment, the phone will do just fine.

 

[sleven]

Success is indicated by a third version of the same device. If it is disconnected after the Duo 2, then we can all agree it’s a failure.

 

[seek3r]

Just wait till the wider public learns that the inner screen has a plastic top layer that you can damage with your fingernail.

I mean we people here know that, but I can tell you that for the large majority of people who barely know folding phones exist, that will come as a massive surprise and it will be an entire news cycle.

Seems like Apple did things a bit differently from Samsung, which explains how they’re able to offer pencil support without worrying about the problem you’re talking about:

“The top layer is a custom polymer that is stiffer than other materials, featuring a nano-texture finish for added readability.”

Apple's long-rumored foldable becomes reality with the $2,000 iPhone Duo

Apple's first foldable can be yours next month.

arstechnica.com

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I have been following Apple for almost 2 decades, every single new Apple release is accompanied by complaints about the price.
There were complaints when the iPhone 6+ was an extra $100 over at smaller counterpart.
there were complaints when Apple previewed the Apple Watch in 2014 and said that it would start at $349. “ you’re telling me that it’s $150 more than a subsidized iPhone?”
There were complaints when AirPods first came out. “ who’s gonna spend $200 on earbuds that you have to charge and look like Q-tips poking out of your ears.”
There were complaints when the iPhone X started at $999, despite Samsung releasing $950, $1000+ galaxy note phones for several years. “ who’s gonna spend MacBook Air money for a phone?”


Somehow people have managed. Carriers provide subsidies, trade-ins, and Instalment plans, almost no one is actually spending full price.
After an iPhone and iPad trade-in, the duo quickly drops to under $1000 straight from Apple. Carriers are going to have even better discounts.
For its segment, the phone will do just fine.

Well I have been following Apple for much longer than you have then. All those examples you have listed there were criticised and guess what, they did well in their segments but were not bought by all Apple users. I even said I think the Duo will sell well for its niche!

You're also giving examples in dollars. Outside of America I can assure you carriers do not give discounts on iPhones, nor do we get £1000 trade ins for our old iPhones. An entry tier Duo costs the equivilent of $2703 USD in my country and my 16 Pro Max is worth $704 USD at trade in currently. My point is, this phone isn't going to appeal to most iPhone users and the cost almost makes it irrelevant anyway.

PS: The 24 month contract on my 16 Pro Max has costs me £1678. The phone itself costs £1199, so people do pay full price for the phone, even with installments.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

there are so many layers on the inner screen it’s incredible anything can be seen on the screen.

What is particularly jarring is the transition from the outside glossy screen to the inner matte screen.

That sandpaper screen would also drive me insane

Just a reminder, OP has not seen or touched a Duo screen. And yet they claim to know how it looks and feels in person. Oh but but but I've seen someone else's videos! Yeah, that's not the same and we all know it. Those are among their many statements here that they have made about what it is like to use a Duo, yet they haven't used one.

I don't know why they're so invested in desperately trying to convince others that this is a bad product.

What I do know is that if I'm in the market for a new phone or some other $2000 device, the last thing I'm going to do is listen to a rando on the internet with an apparent axe to grind and no first-hand knowledge - zero - about said device. Why would any sane person do that?

 

[Pbwallstreet]

I'm sorry, but 2 seconds into the article and the writer is talking about a Z Fold 6. Immediately discredited.

We're on the Z Fold 8/8 Ultra which is light years ahead of the Z Fold 6 in terms of everything. Screen Size, durability, weight. if you're going to talk about the iPhone Duo, you use a modern foldable to compare.

No it is not discredited. At all. The entire article is about how the writer does not need and want a tablet: has no need for it unfolded.