Apple has entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of its first device, the iPhone Duo, which directly competes with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Unveiled on September 9, the iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch internal display and a 5.4-inch external display. The internal screen utilizes an OLED-based 'Super Retina XDR' display with a nano-texture finish, supporting a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz on both screens.
Both devices are 'book-type' foldable phones that open horizontally. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a 7.6-inch (193.2 mm) main display and a 5.5-inch (138.4 mm) cover display. In terms of screen size, the internal displays of both devices are essentially identical.
However, notable differences arise in weight and thickness. The iPhone Duo measures 5.2 mm thick when opened and 11.3 mm when closed, weighing 254 grams. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is 4.5 mm thick when opened, 9.7 mm when closed, and weighs 201 grams, making it 53 grams lighter and 1.6 mm thinner than the iPhone Duo.
The biometric authentication method on the iPhone Duo has changed from previous iPhones. It now features a Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the side button, with no Face ID included in Apple's official specifications.
The iPhone Duo also supports pen input, compatible with the Apple Pencil (USB-C), allowing users to take notes and work on the expansive internal screen.
In terms of camera capabilities, the iPhone Duo is equipped with a dual Fusion camera system featuring a 48-megapixel main camera and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera. It supports 2x optical zoom and up to 10x digital zoom.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 also boasts a 50-megapixel wide camera and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera, with a maximum of 10x digital zoom.
Comparing battery life is complex. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a 4,800 mAh battery, with Samsung claiming up to 26 hours of video playback. While Apple has not disclosed the battery capacity of the iPhone Duo, it employs a dual battery system, with video playback times of up to 44 hours on the external display and up to 31 hours on the internal display.
There is a significant price difference between the two devices. The starting price for the iPhone Duo in South Korea is 3,290,000 won for the 256GB model, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at 2,278,100 won for the same storage capacity. This makes the iPhone Duo approximately 1,011,900 won, or about 44% more expensive.
Storage options also differ. The iPhone Duo offers models with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations.
The iPhone Duo has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, with Apple stating it can withstand depths of up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
While both devices share a similar foldable design, they cater to different preferences. The iPhone Duo emphasizes Apple Pencil support, the iOS ecosystem, and a maximum storage capacity of 2TB, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 8 highlights its lightweight design at 201 grams, a folded thickness of 9.7 mm, and a relatively lower price.
Consumers may notice the most significant differences in weight, with the iPhone Duo being 53 grams heavier, and the price gap exceeding 1 million won. As Apple enters the foldable phone market with its first offering, interest grows in how it will compete with Samsung's established Galaxy Z Fold series, now in its eighth generation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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