I’ve used the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for weeks, and it nonetheless beats the iPhone Duo in 5 methods

Apple is attempting to steal Samsung’s thunder with the iPhone Duo, and it has an actual shot. The iPhone Duo has MagSafe and IP68 sturdiness, two uncommon options on Android foldables. It’s additionally as a result of get Apple Pencil assist on each of its screens later this 12 months, and the transfer comes following Samsung’s option to ditch S Pen assist on Galaxy Z Fold gadgets. At $1,999, the iPhone Duo is not a foul deal — however will it turn into the perfect widescreen foldable when it launches subsequent month?

I’ve examined the perfect iPhones and folding telephones for years, and there is a good likelihood the iPhone Duo ranks above Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra in a number of classes. But there are additionally many unknowns, and notable areas the place the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is clearly a lower above the iPhone Duo. I’ve used the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for weeks, and I see 5 crucial methods Samsung’s extensive foldable is poised to beat the iPhone Duo at its personal sport.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is thinner and lighter

This is a distinction you’ll really feel within the hand

The iPhone Duo and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 could not be extra completely different when it comes to design. The former has a “D-shaped” chassis with flat edges on one facet and curved corners on the opposite. I want the boxy look of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, however these aesthetics are subjective. What’s goal is that the iPhone Duo will instantly turn into one of many thickest and heaviest foldables available on the market. It measures 11.3mm thick when shut and weighs a whopping 254 grams.

Surprisingly, the iPhone Duo is not really that a lot heavier than the brand new iPhone 18 Pro Max, which weighs 249 grams. However, that is extra of a testomony to how chubby the iPhone 18 Pro Max is than an indicator of the iPhone Duo’s lightness. To put the size in perspective, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 measures simply 9.7mm thick and weighs solely 201 grams.

Bringing again that iPhone 18 Pro Max comparability, Apple’s flagship measures 8.75mm thick. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 packs a 7.6-inch foldable display screen in a type issue that is solely a couple of millimeter thicker than an iPhone 18 Pro Max when folded. It’s an unbelievable feat, and makes the iPhone Duo look instantly outdated.

It comes with a free display screen protector substitute

Plus, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is $100 cheaper than the iPhone Duo

Durability is all the time a priority with foldables, particularly with first-generation fashions just like the iPhone Duo. Apple’s IP68 certification tells you the iPhone Duo is dustproof and water resistant, but it surely does not let you know how the cellphone’s foldable OLED show will age. I’m notably frightened about how the sharp Apple Pencil tip will fare towards the iPhone Duo’s fragile nano-texture show. With a brand new product, it is anybody’s guess.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a certain factor. Samsung affords a free replacement built-in screen protector for each Galaxy Z Fold 8 purchaser of their first 12 months. In the unlikely occasion your Galaxy Z Fold 8 display screen protector peels, cracks, or scratches, you will get it changed one time without spending a dime. After that, it is solely $20 to switch at a Samsung approved restore heart. Knowing precisely what’s going to occur in case your Galaxy Z Fold 8 folding show cowl breaks — and that your first subject is roofed utterly free — is the peace of thoughts you want when shopping for a cellphone this costly.

An anti-reflective, shiny folding show

The iPhone Duo’s nano-texture, matte display screen is not for everybody

To scale back the visibility of the folding show crease and fight the plastic show protecting, foldables are beginning to add anti-reflective screens. Samsung added an anti-reflective cowl to the folding show on each the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Apple took this idea one step additional with the iPhone Duo, utilizing nano-texture etching on the plastic show cowl to diffuse mild, making a matte feel and look. While I are likely to get pleasure from Apple’s nano-texture end and matte screens typically, the show protecting comes with notable downsides.

The essential factor to recollect a couple of nano-texture end is that it diffuses mild each methods. The floor diffuses mild in your setting, limiting the consequences of daylight and glare. But it additionally diffuses mild coming from the foldable OLED display screen itself. This may end up in nano-texture screens wanting grainy and dim in comparison with shiny shows, particularly off-angle. All that is to say that for some, the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s shiny anti-reflective show will look sharper and brighter than the iPhone Duo’s matte nano-texture show.

An easy hinge mechanism

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the simplest foldable to open

Credit: Christine Persaud / MUO

A key differentiator between the iPhone Duo and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is their hinge kind. The iPhone Duo has a multi-position hinge that may stay secure at varied angles. This allows a function generally referred to as Flex mode, the place a foldable can stay half-opened, and intelligent software program options make use of the laptop-like place. By comparability, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a quick-opening hinge that’s constructed to “make unfolding really feel smoother, lighter and extra pure.” As I’ve used the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for weeks, I’ve come to understand this new hinge, even with out Flex mode.

Here’s why: foldables keep closed more often than not. Look at foldable customers, and you will see them utilizing the quilt show disproportionately to the folding show. This is as a result of there’s inherent friction to opening up a foldable. You need a foldable to be straightforward to open, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is simply that. The springy hinge jumps open after you begin opening it, and due to this attribute, I take advantage of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 unfolded more often than not. It’s because of this that I want the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s hinge mechanism to the multi-position hinges supplied by the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and the iPhone Duo.

Samsung’s multitasking software program reigns supreme

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the champ till confirmed in any other case

The iPhone Duo has a multitasking function that’s downright unbelievable. When unfolded, the 2 sides of the cellphone will be operated independently of one another, very like the Microsoft Surface Duo. You can use split-screen views to deploy two apps on both facet of the display screen. When you need to change one of many apps, it is doable to make use of the house display screen with out touching the opposite app — that is one thing no Android foldable can do.

However, Samsung’s multitasking software program is undoubtedly extra versatile in each different space. Since Stage Manager is not out there on iPhone Duo, there is no method to make use of apps in windowed type on Apple’s foldable. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 can run three split-screen apps and 5 pop-up apps in windowed type directly, for a complete of eight apps.

Where the iPhone Duo crushes the Galaxy Z Fold 8

I need to stress that the iPhone Duo seems to be to be an unbelievable first effort from Apple. I did not anticipate the iPhone Duo to be this inexpensive or absolutely featured. I do know it appears loopy to counsel that the $2,000 iPhone Duo is inexpensive, however given foldable costs and the worldwide RAM scarcity, I would not have been stunned if Apple’s foldable was rather more costly. At $100 greater than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the iPhone Duo simply justifies the additional value with MagSafe charging, IP68 sturdiness, Apple Pencil assist, and a vapor chamber for the A20 Pro chipset.

The query is absolutely whether or not you’ll be able to reside with the iPhone Duo’s compromises. Its thickness and weight are actual drawbacks in comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The nano-texture show will not be for everybody, and I’m favoring the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s quick-opening hinge design for now. Samsung’s multitasking software program offers foldable customers much more flexibility than what Apple has proven off for the iPhone Duo. Put all of it collectively, and you can also make actual circumstances for every cellphone incomes a spot in your pocket.

Battery

4,800 mAh silicon-carbon

Weight

201g

IP Rating

IP48

Processor

Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy

Cover display screen

5.5-inch

Brand

Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an ultra-slim premium foldable smartphone that includes a 5.5-inch passport-style cowl show and a 7.6-inch important inside display screen. Measuring simply 4.5mm thick when unfolded, it contains a 50MP dual-camera system, a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and an IP48 sturdiness score.