iPhone Duo Review: Is It Better Than the Z Fold 8?

Summary

Matt from Matt Tries Tech compares the iPhone Duo with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 during a day of everyday use, after spending two months with the Samsung foldable.

Hardware and usability

The Duo felt heavier, and its fingerprint unlock seemed slightly slower. Matt also missed Samsung’s universal back gesture and customization options.

Apps and multitasking

App layouts on the Duo were inconsistent: some used the large screen well, while others left empty space or appeared oversized. Facebook adapted to orientation better on the Duo, but Samsung generally offered more polished foldable-specific software.

The Duo’s split-screen view was limited to an even 50/50 division. The Fold 8 allowed more flexible sizing and orientations.

Keyboard

The Duo’s split keyboard made typing easier, but Matt preferred several Samsung keyboard options, including a number row and more convenient controls.

Display

The Duo’s nano-textured coating reduced glare, making its screen easier to view outdoors. After turning off Night Shift, Matt preferred the Duo’s colors and contrast overall, though the Fold 8 showed deeper blacks in some conditions.

Cameras

In informal, real-world photo comparisons at Butterfly Wonderland and an aquarium, Matt often preferred the Duo’s images, particularly for detail and dynamic range in low light. Samsung sometimes produced brighter, richer outdoor shots.

Matt called the Duo’s cameras a major reason to choose it.

Performance and navigation

The Fold 8 opened many apps faster, but Matt said the differences were usually small. He noted that the comparison was not scientific because the phones did not always share the same network connection. The Duo opened the Tesla app faster in one test.

Ecosystem and maps

Returning to Apple’s ecosystem—including FaceTime, iMessage, and Apple Watch notifications and calls—felt convenient. The Duo also handled switching from planning a route on the large screen to navigating with the phone closed as expected.

Google Maps appeared to show more detail than Apple Maps for small turns in parking lots.

Battery

Near the end of the day, the Fold 8 had 54% battery remaining and the Duo had 27%. The Duo later reached 16%. Matt cautioned that this was not a fair comparison because the Duo was set up earlier and used more. Battery life will need further testing.

Verdict

Matt praised the Duo’s display, cameras, hardware, and Apple ecosystem, but concluded that Samsung’s software is more flexible and better adapted to a foldable screen. After the first 24 hours, he was impressed by Apple’s first foldable but was not ready to replace the Fold 8.

Reviews and follow-ups

This was a first-day comparison. Matt said a longer-term Duo review and a video testing iPhone Duo cases were planned.