Comparing the folding iPhone Duo to the Galaxy Z Fold 8

After so many months of speculation, Apple finally unveiled the foldable iPhone Duo. After the “Surprise and Shine” keynote wrapped, one of Mashable’s senior reporters even got to check out the device in a crowded Apple Park demo room.

The iPhone Duo will be officially released on Oct. 23, and you’ll have to wait until then for a proper review. However, I have spent a lot of time with the device’s biggest competition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.

So, how do these two flagship foldables compare?

iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Cost

Before the Apple iPhone event, rumors pegged the iPhone Duo’s price somewhere between $2,000 and $2,300, so the final $1,999 price tag was a pleasant surprise. Of course, that’s still a massive investment for most people, as is the Z Fold 8, which has a starting price of $1,899.99. Both phones come with 256GB of storage and can be upgraded with more.

The 2TB version of the iPhone Duo will cost a whopping $3,199, whereas the Z Fold 8 doesn’t have a 2TB version.

iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Design

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a boxier design.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / CNET Group

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to make of the iPhone Duo’s design based on the leaks. The rounded corners and D-shaped outer display reminded me of the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and not in a good way. However, after its big reveal, I have to admit that I was totally wrong: I think Apple nailed the design.

The iPhone Duo has a sleek, futuristic look, and when unfolded, it takes on a more sculptural shape. By comparison, the Z Fold 8 looks a little boxy and utilitarian.

Both phones are also remarkably thin. Unfolded, the Duo is Apple’s thinnest phone ever at just 5.2mm. The Z Fold 8 is even thinner, a mere 4.5 mm when unfolded. The Z Fold 8 is also significantly lighter.

iPhone Duo vs. Z Fold 8: Displays and creases

The folding iPhone Duo on display.
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Here’s how the displays compare specs-wise:

Crucially, the iPhone Duo has Apple’s premium nano-texture display. Because this minimizes reflections on the device, the crease should be even less visible on the Duo, and it all but disappears in early photos and videos of the device. The combination of Liquid Glass, Super Retina XDR, and nano texture results in a very impressive display that will be hard to beat.

That being said, the Z Fold 8 also has very impressive AMOLED displays and a nearly invisible crease. There’s a reason Apple tapped Samsung to manufacture the iPhone Duo’s flexible display, after all.

iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: The cameras

The camera array on the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / CNET Group

In my review of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, I noted that the device’s cameras were its biggest drawback. If you want a Pro-level camera array, you’ll need to upgrade to the pricier Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

In comparison, the iPhone Duo appears to make fewer compromises on its cameras. Let’s start by breaking down the specs:

• iPhone Duo cameras: 48-megapixel main camera, 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera, 12MP Center Stage selfie camera, and an under-display FaceTime camera

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 cameras: 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

While 50MP might seem to automatically beat 48MP, don’t be so sure. Image quality has as much to do with the phone’s processor as the cameras themselves, and Apple’s new A20 Pro chip sounds like a killer. However, Apple is just now introducing AI photo editing features in iOS 27 that have been standard on Samsung Galaxy phones for a couple of years.

We obviously haven’t been able to test the iPhone Duo’s selfie cameras yet, but this is another area where Apple has an edge.

I hated the 10MP selfie camera, which is so useless I wondered why Samsung included it at all. It merely takes up space on the inner display. The under-display FaceTime camera will probably have quality issues as well, but it won’t take up precious pixel space. Apple also has an additional Center Stage selfie camera on the rear of the device. On other iPhones, the Center Stage camera has been great for taking vertical and horizontal selfies without flipping the phone in your hands, among other perks.

Apple StandBy mode

Credit: Apple

During the iPhone Duo introduction, Apple was keen to show the device acting as a smart alarm clock on a nightstand. This is part of the phone’s StandBy mode, which allows you to “turn your iPhone Duo into a clock, photo frame, or a display for the weather, calendar or your favorite widgets.”

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 also supports multitasking and side-by-side apps, of course. But while the Z Fold 8 is primarily designed for multitasking, the StandBy mode is a fun twist. The prospect of using your iPhone Duo as a smart picture frame while you’re at your desk is certainly interesting.

We’ll have to wait and see how it works IRL.

iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Which is the better foldable?

Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

We can’t answer this question until we’ve properly tested the foldable iPhone Duo. But some things to consider as you mull whether to preorder the device:

• The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is our favorite Android foldable released yet

• The iPhone Duo’s design and camera features will be very hard to beat

• Both phones have impressive displays, though the nano-texture coating may give Apple a slight edge

• Apple emphasized that the iPhone Duo was designed for durability in the long-term, and it’s IP68 dust and water-resistant; the Z Fold 8 has a slightly less impressive IP48 certification

iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: By the numbers

Want to see the full list of specs side by side?

iPhone Duo specifications:

• Inner display: 7.6-inch inner and 5.5-inch outer AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rate

• Cameras: 48-megapixel main camera, 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera, 12MP Center Stage selfie camera, and an under-display FaceTime camera

• Processor: Apple A20 Pro chipset

• Colors: White, deep blue

• Dimensions: 164.6 x 117.8 x 5.2mm unfolded / 84.1 x 117.8 x 11.3mm folded

• Weight: 254 grams

• RAM: 12GB to 24GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage

• Charging: 60W wired, 30W wireless

• Peak brightness: Up to 3,000 nits

• Water resistance: IP68 water and dust resistant

Galaxy Z Fold 8 specifications

• Display: 7.6-inch inner and 5.5-inch outer AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rate

• Cameras: 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Colors: Lavender, cream, graphite, and pistachio

• Dimensions: 123.9 x 161.4 x 4.5 mm unfolded / 123.9 x 81.9 x 9.7 mm unfolded

• Weight: 201 grams

• RAM: 12GB to 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage

• Battery: 4,800mAh battery

• Charging: 45W wired, 20W wireless

• Peak brightness: Up to 3,000 nits

• Water resistance: IP48 water and dust resistant

Follow our Apple event live blog to catch up on the latest news and announcements from the “Surprise and Shine” keynote, with live updates from Apple Park.