Apple is preparing to enter the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, scheduled for release on October 23. While the device has generated significant anticipation, it faces immediate competition from established manufacturers who have already deployed similar hardware. Xiaomi, Oppo, Motorola, and Samsung have all released devices that mirror the passport-style form factor Apple is adopting, creating a crowded field for consumers before the iPhone Duo even hits stores.
Xiaomi 18 Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Offer Passport Designs
The Xiaomi 18 Fold arrived just days before Apple unveiled its own foldable device. Both phones utilize a passport-like shape with a 7.6-inch inner screen and a 5.4-inch outer display. However, the Xiaomi device weighs 219 grams, significantly lighter than the iPhone Duo, which tips the scales at 254 grams. Xiaomi also includes a triple-lens camera system on the back, providing an optical zoom range that the iPhone Duo lacks. The Xiaomi 18 Fold starts at 10,999 yuan, approximately $1,640, though it is currently available only in China.
In the United States, the primary competitor to the iPhone Duo is likely the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8. Samsung has moved away from the near-square design of previous models, adopting a wider passport shape with a 7.6-inch inner screen and a 5.5-inch outer display. The device features a straighter design with no curved corners and includes two rear cameras, matching the iPhone Duo’s setup. The Z Fold8 starts at $1,900, just $100 less than the iPhone Duo’s starting price. Reviews have praised the Z Fold8 for its media consumption capabilities, noting it performs better for watching shows than the more expensive Z Fold8 Ultra.
Oppo Find N6 and Motorola Razr Fold Prioritize Thinness and Brightness
Oppo took a different approach with the Find N6, retaining a more conventional foldable design similar to the Z Fold8 Ultra. The device features a 6.62-inch outer display and an 8.12-inch inner display. Its standout feature is its thinness; it measures just 8.93mm when closed, which is much closer to the 8.75mm thickness of the iPhone 18 Pro than the 11.3mm thickness of the iPhone Duo. The Find N6 also includes a 6,000mAh battery, which is 1,600mAh larger than the Z Fold7, and supports 80W wired fast charging. It starts at 9,999 yuan, approximately $1,490, and includes IP59 certification for dust and water resistance.
Motorola offers the Razr Fold, which is available in US stores. This device features a 6.6-inch outer screen that unfolds into an 8.1-inch inner display. The inner screen boasts a peak brightness of 6,000 nits, double the maximum brightness of the iPhone Duo. The Razr Fold also includes a 6,000mAh battery, 80W charging, and a triple-camera system. It supports a stylus as a $100 add-on and starts at $1,900. While hardware specifications are competitive, Apple relies on software optimizations in iOS 27 to differentiate the iPhone Duo, including animations for switching between displays and varied usage modes.
Source: Engadget
