Kerry Wan/ZDNETApple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, is finally here, and it enters a market stacked with competition. While many would first draw comparisons to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, there’s an argument that the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold is a closer competitor to the iPhone Duo.
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Set aside the $100 price difference, and you’re looking at two foldable phones with IP68 water and dust resistance, “24-hour battery life” according to their makers, side-mounted fingerprint sensors, some form of magnetic accessory support, and even in-house chipsets that enhance hardware-software synergy. Oh, and a camera trick for getting kids’ and toddlers’ attention when taking photos.
What about the differences? After spending an intimate afternoon with the iPhone Duo in Cupertino this week and having reviewed the Pixel 11 Pro Fold well in advance, it turns out there are several notable reasons to pick one foldable phone over the other. Spoiler: The choice does not come down to iOS versus Android alone. Let me break it down.
You should buy the iPhone Duo if…
Kerry Wan/ZDNET1. The iPad mini-like form factor speaks to you
The most noticeable difference between the iPhone Duo and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is the shorter, stubbier aspect ratio. You’re looking at a 1.4:1 aspect ratio for the iPhone (compared to the Pixel’s 19.5:9), giving it an iPad mini-like appearance when unfolded. A wider aspect ratio is ideal for content consumption, whether that’s watching YouTube or Netflix in landscape orientation or scrolling through webpages in portrait orientation.
The iPhone Duo also supports Apple Pencil stylus inputs, giving it a unique edge over Samsung and Google, though the company says that will come later via a software update. Altogether, the 5.4-inch and 7.6-inch display combo makes the iPhone Duo a more appealing option if you’re after a familiar tablet experience when unfolded.
2. You’re currently an iOS user (or are a fan of iOS 27)
If you’re already using iOS-exclusive features like iMessage and FaceTime, it’ll be a much smoother transition to switch to the iPhone Duo than to the Pixel. But there’s more to iOS than those core apps and services; on iOS 27, you can now hand off your eSIM to a second iPhone, allowing power users, business professionals, and others to stay in communication whether they’re using their primary or secondary device.
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Apple has introduced some tweaks to iOS 27 that apply exclusively to the iPhone Duo, too, including apps and nav bars moved to the side rail, StandBy mode that doesn’t require an active charge, and the ability to swipe and drag two apps to open at once. The gradual display transition as you fold and unfold the Duo is a nice touch as well. That easily got the most oohs and ahs in the Steve Jobs Theater this week.
Lastly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more iOS developers focus on building software for the foldable form factor now that the iPhone Duo is here. Even if Apple is a latecomer to the race, it’s simply less complicated to develop for iOS than for Android, since the latter involves multiple OEMs.
3. You want one of the most polished foldable phones today
It may seem like a stretch to make such a strong claim, but I’ve used dozens of foldable phones by now, and Apple’s patience and clear market analysis have resulted in one of the best-designed devices to date. There are thoughtful touches in the industrial design that enhance the foldable phone experience, like the curved edges that make splitting the screen open much easier or the nearly invisible crease that’s blended into the nano-textured inner display.
The rear cameras are also positioned in a way that leaves you ample space to set a MagSafe wallet or kickstand accessory. And the under-display camera, whose megapixel count Apple isn’t disclosing (likely due to its lower image quality), at least fades away when you’re not using it.
You should buy the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold if…
1. You want the more capable camera system
While more time is needed to test the iPhone Duo’s camera system, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold has a clear advantage with its dedicated telephoto sensor, which allows you to capture distant subjects with greater compression and background blur. It’s the reason most Pro phones, including the iPhone 18 Pro series, can produce natural-looking separation between people, pets, and environments.
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Sure, Apple has improved its computational photography over the years, tapping into software processing (and, eventually, AI) to effectively crop and artificially produce background blur. I’m fully expecting the Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s physical sensor to carry more weight in a head-to-head matchup.
Arguably, Google uses AI even more heavily in its overall Pixel camera and system experience, with features like Magic Capture and Super Res Zoom that use machine learning to understand visual context and help you take ideal shots. This may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a direction we’re surely moving more and more toward, as is evident across all major phone makers.
2. You want a higher level of customization
Android has always been the more customizable operating system compared to iOS, which is why it may best serve the larger real estate of a foldable phone. In fact, less than 24 hours after Apple unveiled that slick open-close animation on the Duo, a Redditor already built a functioning proof of concept for their Galaxy Z Fold 8. The OS is a tinkerer’s paradise.
Most people will enjoy modifying some of the finer things, like different home screen layouts for the inner and outer screens, the width of each split-screen app window (Apple forces you to a 50/50 split), and even toggling on a desktop-style taskbar. This can all be done without downloading a third-party launcher, by the way. Should you switch away from the Pixel launcher, there are plenty of options out there that can make your phone feel completely different.
3. The taller aspect ratio is your comfort zone
Considering that many foldable phone users, myself included, have found themselves using the outer display more than the inner one, the ergonomics of the handset when folded are arguably more important than when it’s unfolded.
Also: iPhone Duo or 18 Pro? 8 reasons why I’m skipping Apple’s first foldable
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold follows a traditional slab shape when closed, with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio that makes apps appear less distorted and stretched than on the iPhone Duo. If you often use your phone with one hand, the Pixel will be much more comfortable to hold and operate, as you can reach from one side to the other more easily than with the wider iPhone.
The volume rocker is also located below the power button, whereas on the iPhone Duo, it is positioned above it. This means it’s much easier to control your media, even when the phone is in your pocket.
Final thought
There’s something I haven’t mentioned yet that’s good for you to know: availability. At the moment, we don’t have a pulse on what demand and supply for the iPhone Duo look like, but I’d bet that Apple will produce fewer units at first to gauge public interest. (The scarcity of the product also tends to generate hype, resulting in people impulsively buying things for fear of missing out.)
That’s why I’d recommend waiting until preorders start on Oct. 16, going to a local Apple Store, and getting a feel for the device before putting down any money. If the form factor, both open and closed, feels practical for your needs, and you’re ready to spend the $2,000 (or enough for Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program), then give it a shot. In the worst-case scenario, you return it within Apple’s 14-day window.
