MKBHD and Mrwhosetheboss Review iPhone Duo: Is It Worth $2,000?
Two of YouTube‘s biggest technology reviewers, Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) and Arun Maini (Mrwhosetheboss), have published their reviews of Apple‘s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, highlighting its impressive display alongside several compromises that make its $2,000 price difficult to justify.
Both reviewers praised Apple’s hardware engineering, particularly the hinge, anti-reflective inner display and battery efficiency. However, they raised concerns about the phone’s weight, limited camera system and lack of optimised third-party applications.
Brownlee described the device as highly polished in its smaller design details but still rough around the edges when it comes to everyday usability.
Maini was less convinced by the overall experience, arguing that the standard iPhone 18 Pro offers better value despite lacking the Duo’s folding display.
Display impresses, but software needs work
Both reviewers singled out the 7.6-inch OLED display with its nano-texture finish as one of the Duo’s strongest features.
Brownlee praised its almost invisible crease, reduced reflections and smooth transition between the outer and inner displays. Maini agreed, noting that the coating makes competing smartphones look unusually reflective.
However, neither was satisfied with the current app experience.
Brownlee demonstrated how popular applications, including Spotify, Google Maps, Discord and Google Calendar, still display black bars or fail to use the available screen space properly.
Maini encountered similar problems with Google Docs and several games, arguing that Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 currently provides a better experience with many applications.
Both reviewers praised Apple’s implementation of split-screen multitasking, although Maini criticised the restriction that prevents users from resizing the two application windows.
The reviewers also identified the absence of Face ID as an inconvenience. Apple instead uses a fingerprint sensor built into the power button, which Brownlee said feels unnecessarily slow because of an intentional unlocking delay.
Cameras and weight raise questions about the price
Although the iPhone Duo uses the same A20 Pro processor as Apple’s flagship smartphones, its camera system lacks several features available on the iPhone 18 Pro.
Both reviewers criticised the absence of a telephoto camera and the poor image quality of the under-display selfie camera.
Brownlee said the rear cameras were adequate for everyday photography but performed closer to the cheaper iPhone 17e than the Pro models in difficult lighting.
Maini was more positive about the main camera, finding that its daytime photographs and low-light performance were better than expected. However, he said the missing telephoto lens was enough to discourage him from buying the device.
Battery life proved a pleasant surprise for both reviewers.
Brownlee reported regularly finishing the day with more than 30% charge remaining, while Maini’s tests showed the Duo outlasting both the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the smaller iPhone 18 Pro.
Nevertheless, Maini found that charging speeds were slower than those of its competitors. He also recorded a greater performance drop under sustained workloads compared with the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Both reviewers criticised the Duo’s bulky design. Brownlee noted that Samsung’s foldable is considerably thinner and lighter, while Maini found the Duo almost 30% thicker than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Should you buy the iPhone Duo?
The reviewers ultimately reached similar conclusions about the Duo’s limitations but differed in their enthusiasm for the device.
Brownlee considered it a promising first-generation product, particularly for people who want a pocket-sized tablet for reading, entertainment and multitasking.
He praised Apple’s attention to detail and suggested that future software updates could address some of its biggest weaknesses.
Maini took a firmer position, recommending the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max to most buyers.
He argued that the Duo’s advantages in multitasking do not compensate for its compromises in photography, ergonomics and everyday convenience.
Both reviewers agreed that the iPhone Duo is an impressive technical achievement, but neither considered it the best choice for most iPhone users.
