Samsung and Google must copy these 3 things from the iPhone Duo

Science news

Released Sep 19, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT

Nirave Gondhia is the Founder & Chief Evangelist at House of Technologywith over 18 years of experience evaluating customer innovation. He’s delighted about collapsible phones and has a distinct viewpoint on health after

recuperating from a significant cardiac arrest at 33.

He is enthusiastic about reading, innovation, Formula 1, and the world’s biggest soccer club, Manchester United.

After years of anticipation, Apple has actually lastly released its very first collapsible, and contrary to much of the leakages, it isn’t the iPhone Ultra. Rather, fulfill the iPhone Duo, a phone that mixes 2 of the very best Android phones into something favorably revitalizing.

Those 2 phones? The Galaxy Z Fold 8 in size and type element, and the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold in toughness and magnetic charging. The outcome? A collapsible I’m really thrilled about, despite the fact that I’ve never ever held it.

As somebody who likes collapsible phones– well, all phones actually– the iPhone Duo is remarkable. It’s what I like most about the Galaxy Z Fold 8: its compact kind element, while likewise resolving the greatest psychological obstacle around its supposed fragility. I state this since I’ve had no problems with mine, however the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is constructed like a tank, not Samsung’s svelte technique. The iPhone Duo is efficiently a mini tank in your pocket.

Hardware aside, a brand-new Apple kind element would not be total without a couple of techniques to finish the experience, and Android phone makers need to copy these 3 things immediately.

iPhone Handoff for cellular connection

A fantastic method to lure more sales

Credit: Apple

This is among the most innovative methods to work around all the tradeoffs of any collapsible or next-generation type element: simply purchase 2.

If you desire among the very best mobile phone electronic cameras, Apple desires you to purchase the iPhone 18 Pro series, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Pixel 11 Pro are the other leading competitors in the United States.

The property of this function is that you purchase both the iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 Pro– or the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy S26 Ultra if Samsung were to do this– and your SIM card, connection, and material flawlessly change from one gadget to the other.

It’s fantastic, and opens a lot more possibilities. Will Android phone makers copy this? Is it even possible? The latter appears relatively most likely, although the Android SIM set up experience isn’t as improved as iOS. The previous is nearly particular, particularly in China where Android phone makers have Apple-like combinations and environments.

iPhone Handoff is currently a factor to remain within the Apple environment, although other phone makers’ communities use something comparable in some kind or another. Switching eSIMs in between gadgets– and the iPhone Duo is eSIM-only worldwide this year– can be incredibly tough, and there are still providers that do not totally support it. The list of providers that support this function is restricted to T-Mobile in the United States and 1 other worldwide, with just 2 others revealed to sign up with by year-end. If Google executed something comparable with Android, it would most likely bring assistance to Google Fi and offer more providers a factor to support it.

Nano-texture matte surface on the iPhone Duo display screen

If you can’t see it, does the crease even exist?

Credit: Shimul Sood/ MakeUseOf

All the reports before launch recommended the iPhone Duo would have an unnoticeable crease, despite the fact that such innovation has yet to be genuinely shown in production. Rather, Apple has actually taken a special technique: a nano-texture matte screen. Early hands-on impressions recommend this successfully conceals the crease in genuine usage.

<p>The crease does not matter in collapsible phones. I've utilized foldables for several years, and I'll broaden even more: you forget the crease exists within minutes of usage. That stated, the Oppo Find N6 most likely still has the very best crease on a collapsible, despite the fact that Apple's is most likely the least visible/noticeable. </p><h2 id="animations-and-the-iphone-duo-side-dock">    </h2><p>This is crucial: Apple is wagering that clients will not mind as much if it's less </p><h3 id="less-is-actually-more-when-it-comes-to-foldables"> noticeable. It's a wise bet that will likely settle, and it likewise makes the screen even more clear outdoors. No doubt it's likewise a happiness to continue reading, and these usage cases suggest it's most likely much better for typical clients. It's worth keeping in mind: the crease does not matter.    Animations and the iPhone Duo Side Dock

Less is in fact more when it concerns foldables

<source media="(max-width: 767px)" data-srcset="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/apple-september-2026-event-iphone-duo-side-dock.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=800&dpr=2"> <source media="(max-width: 1023px)" data-srcset="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/apple-september-2026-event-iphone-duo-side-dock.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"> <img width="1650" height="926" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="science news Side dock on the iPhone Duo as shown during the Apple Surprise and Shine iPhone Duo launch keynote on September 9, 2026" src="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/apple-september-2026-event-iphone-duo-side-dock.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" previous-src="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/apple-september-2026-event-iphone-duo-side-dock.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2">
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    </source></picture><small>Credit: Apple</small></figure>

One standout feature of the iPhone Duo experience is that Apple focused greatly on the software application. That appears in whatever from side-by-side multitasking (lastly on iPhone) to the side dock and the smooth animation as you shift in between the 2 screens.

<p>Apple hasn't significantly reconsider the collapsible experience. Oppo and OnePlus have the very best multitasking on Android foldables, while Samsung has actually been doing multitasking on its phones for over a years. Rather, Apple has actually concentrated on a fine-tuned, core set of experiences that it can reduce its clients into.</p>    

















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    </picture><small>Credit: Nirave Gondhia/ MakeUseOf</small></figure>

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The Galaxy Z Fold 8 can run numerous apps side by side and in pop-up windows, however the iPhone Duo is restricted to simply 2. IOS 27 treats it as 2 screens, suggesting you can put an app on one half and control/navigate your home screen on the other. It looks much more refined than the Android comparable experience, however the evidence will remain in the general experience in the hand.

<p>I like the side dock being on the right, as I'm right-handed, and I likewise like Touch ID-- I believe every phone must have a hardware finger print sensing unit in the power button.</p>    

Bonus offer: Apple’s marketing of the iPhone Duo

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From the pre-recorded occasion, which took 20 hours of recording, and unlimited more in modifying, to the discussion of the why, the iPhone Duo expose was a masterclass in holding attention for 30 minutes.

Much of that was since it was long-awaited, however Apple likewise had a clear message about why somebody ought to purchase the iPhone Duo, and it made certain to display that throughout the occasion. Quickly after, it began submitting videos like this one to TikTok, recording creativities in methods other phone makers have not.

<p>The occasion itself should have unique reference due to the fact that it's totally various from every other occasion I participate in. Google comes closest with its Made by Google occasions, such as the launches of the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel Watch 5, which Jimmy Kimmel and Trevor Noah hosted. Motorola does not have a conventional launch occasion, however its night soir&eacute;es are constantly amazing, with partners like Paris Hilton. Neither narrates like Apple, and Samsung is much more business than imaginative in its technique.    </p>    The very best foldables race is warming up




















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    </picture><small>Credit: Brady Snyder/ MakeUseOf</small></figure>

This is forming up to be the very best year in collapsible phones ‘nascent history, as you would get out of Apple’s entry. Along with the present crop, we’re anticipating Motorola to release a brand-new passport-style collapsible for the United States in the coming months. Offered its strong performance history with the Razr Ultra 2026 and Moto Razr Foldyou can wager the large Moto Razr Fold will be engaging.

<p>Outside the United States, it's much hotter. Oppo and Honor are both anticipated to release large collapsible phones in their next release cycle, while Huawei, Xiaomi, and Vivo all have brand-new alternatives. Much of these are restricted to China, however this is where Apple no doubt desires the iPhone Duo to offer very well.</p>    <p>This competitors makes it most likely that future iPhone Duos will be thinner, lighter, or press the borders in some other method. This likewise implies that all foldables will lastly reach their capacity, and a number of the insane ideas we've formerly seen might lastly end up being truth.</p>    






















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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

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                <div>

<dl>

            <p>
                </p><dt>
                    <strong>Brand name</strong>                     </dt>
                                                                    <dd>
                            <span>





                                        Samsung


                                                                </span>
                        </dd>


            <p>
                </p><dt>
                    <strong>Battery</strong>                    </dt>
                                                                    <dd>
                            <span>





                                        4,800 mAh silicon-carbon


                                                                </span>
                        </dd>


            <p>
                </p><dt>
                    <strong>Weight</strong>                     </dt>
                                                                    <dd>
                            <span>





                                        201g


                                                                </span>
                        </dd>


            <p>
                </p><dt>
                    <strong>IP Rating</strong>                  </dt>
                                                                    <dd>
                            <span>





                                        IP48


                                                                </span>
                        </dd>

                                    </dl>
</div>

            </div>
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                        <p>The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is my preferred folding phone today. It's the very best Android phone if you desire a folding phone the very same size as the iPhone Duo, and it has specifications extremely comparable to Apple's brand-new collapsible.













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