The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series may have finally met its most formidable rival, as Apple has unveiled one of its most anticipated products, the iPhone Duo. As the first of its kind and priced at $2000 in the USA and ₹2,99,900 in India, Apple’s first foldable will soon face immense pressure to deliver on expectations.
With that in mind, the Cupertino-based tech giant seems to have accounted for everything. The brand has packed the iPhone Duo with a robust hinge, a powerful A20 Pro chipset, clever software features, a capable 48MP dual-camera system, and a few thoughtful extras.
So, it begs the question: does Apple’s new venture have enough ingredients to take on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, a product of years of experience, and to justify a price that rivals that of an enthusiast motorbike? With the iPhone Duo yet to reach our hands, it’s too soon to dig for answers. That said, in this article, we will still explore where Apple’s first foldable stands against the Galaxy Z Fold 8 on paper.
Design and Build Quality:
The iPhone Duo and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 share the same book-style foldable design, yet they differ in several respects:
- Apple’s foldable leans toward rounder proportions, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 opts for a sharper design.
- Both incorporate titanium to strengthen the build. That said, Apple has used it in the iPhone Duo’s enclosure. In contrast, Samsung has added a titanium-alloy film and a new titanium plate beneath the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s OLED panel to make the folding display slimmer and more robust.
- On the hinge front, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 carries the same Armor FlexHinge mechanism from its predecessor. Meanwhile, the Cupertino-based tech giant has designed its foldable’s hinge with more than 100 components and paired it with an integrated magnet array to deliver a smooth, satisfying feel when opening and closing. Internally, it has also incorporated carbon fibre support plates to create a durable platform for the display.
- Apple has strengthened the iPhone Duo’s front with its in-house Ceramic Shield 2 protective layer, claimed to provide three times the scratch resistance of its previous generation, and its rear with a Ceramic Shield layer. Meanwhile, Samsung has opted for Corning Gorilla Ceramic 3 on the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s front and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back.
- Samsung’s extensive foldable experience has helped it shave weight from the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s complex structure, bringing it to just 201 grams. On paper, the iPhone Duo is heavier at 245 grams.
- Similarly, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is slimmer at 4.5 mm when unfolded, while the iPhone Duo measures 5.4 mm in the same state.
Display:
The display is where the gap widens between the iPhone Duo and the Galaxy Z Fold 8:
