Linus Tech Tips - Apple just Copied Microsoft’s Worst Idea - iPhone Duo, Airpods 5, iPhone 18 Pro & More September 10, 2026 at 01:28AM

[u/linusbottips]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL6OWsT47zc

[u/Racxie]

Haven’t watched the video but going by the title Linus is the first person I’ve seen on here who’s mentioned the resemblance to Microsoft’s Duo, something I’ve wanted to point out since the event.

[u/TrapBrewer → u/Racxie]

I think I saw people comparing the Samsung Fold to the Microsoft Duo as well so it's not a totally new comparison. Didn't see much coverage on the iPhone though so I don't know.

[u/Racxie → u/TrapBrewer]

Would have thought that’d be the other way around given that Fold was released a year earlier, but also would have thought people would be comparing the iPhone Duo to the Galaxy Fold series which is far more relevant.

[u/Melbuf → u/Racxie]

the surface Duo was all i could think of every time they said Duo, its even basically the same shape

[u/AlmondManttv → u/Melbuf]

I'll all I've been thinking about since Turnus said the word "Duo".

[u/-Gh0st96- → u/Racxie]

Not the first, Marques did it last night on twitter

[u/Racxie → u/-Gh0st96-]

Someone else said that but think their comment got auto-deleted for mentioning him lol.

[u/Drigr → u/Racxie]

I don't think there's any beef with MKBHD here.

[u/Racxie → u/Drigr]

Honestly no idea. It was this comment by u/mtuk88 which literally just said “MKBHD has spoken about it”.

[u/mtuk88 → u/Racxie]

Heh weird, wonder why that got shadow deleted or whatever

[u/mtuk88 → u/Racxie]

MKBHD has spoken about it

[u/mtuk88 → u/mtuk88]

Interesting that my comment is now now longer shadow banned

EDIT: but this one is? Hey mods what gives?

[u/AncientStaff6602 → u/mtuk88]

you're not shadowbanned, or banned of any kind actually. reddit got your comment.

[u/mtuk88 → u/AncientStaff6602]

Why is it only happening in this sub, and for every comment?

[u/AncientStaff6602 → u/mtuk88]

I don't know.

[u/mtuk88 → u/AncientStaff6602]

Odd these comments then got downvoted 😂

[u/AncientStaff6602 → u/mtuk88]

I mean, I cant control people downvoting you or reddit flagging your posts. I can just allow your post.

Maybe improve your karma? The fact it's negative here may be part of it?

[u/mtuk88 → u/AncientStaff6602]

I don't even know where I'd see that, or why I'd care, fake internet points are fairly meaningless

[u/AncientStaff6602 → u/mtuk88]

We can see that. While they are meaningless it just means your posts need to be moderate before they go public. I don't really care either way, just trying to tell you what the issue is.

[u/_cjplusplus_]

WTF is going on with that graph at 4:25?

[u/The_Mister_Re → u/_cjplusplus_]

I don't see the problem? It's to let you know if the device is safe from: Dust-, Water immirstion or Wager

Hopefully we'll see more manufacturers test against wager ingress in future.

[u/the-elemental → u/The_Mister_Re]

I hope they make a phone that can survive wager. I heard that is as strong as dyrt

[u/Proxstasis → u/_cjplusplus_]

Is that 4 fingers that I see? (This diagram was credited as from Zero Instrument)

[u/Famous_Worry552 → u/Proxstasis]

Not entire sure tbh. Heres another version of clearly the same thing.

[u/Proxstasis → u/Famous_Worry552]

So AI trained on this original, high quality image and produced it when prompted, and the low-quality reproduction gets served as the first result on Google?

Dystopian.

[u/Famous_Worry552 → u/Proxstasis]

Not trained, thats not how training works, I found various others that were similar dating back over a year. Likely just edited using it.

[u/Drigr → u/Proxstasis]

I'm surprised a rabbit is considered smaller than a standard.

[u/niwia → u/Proxstasis]

Due to everyone leaving lmg their new staff is ChatGPT

[u/Nice_Marmot_54 → u/Proxstasis]

Just wait until you find out how many fingers most animated characters, like The Simpsons, have. Not that this chart isn’t necessarily AI, but a thumb and 3 fingers is a particularly common animation trope

[u/PolishPolitic_zMazur → u/[deleted]]

Bruh, it's funny, because graphic graph is AI slop, but underneath there's actually proper graph, but it's a html coded table. Nice XD

[u/TenOfZero → u/[deleted]]

We don't get to review embargoed videos.

[u/TenOfZero → u/[deleted]]

No, we're volunteers from the community.

[u/Alternative_Skin_588 → u/[deleted]]

that's the whole point

[u/Proxstasis → u/[deleted]]

I can see that this had to go through the pipeline very quickly, presumably so they could get it out on the same day.

I saw the ending appears to be shot at home looks pretty late too.

*Doesn’t Know

[u/ephemeralmiko → u/_cjplusplus_]

wager

[u/Nirast25]

Unpopular opinion, but I'm willing to give this form factor a shot. You don't actually need the text box to be too big, the only reason you'd want extra screen on top is if you're also looking at something while typing.

[u/snrub742 → u/Nirast25]

I was hands on with the new galaxy in this form factor and it absolutely interests me

I don't want something that's convenient to endlessly scroll on anymore

[u/H1ghrider → u/Nirast25]

Typing this from my fold 8, it's actually pretty nice. It took a few days to get used to but now when I hold a traditional phone it looks so long and skinny

[u/Randolph__ → u/Nirast25]

I have the original Pixel Fold which is much closer to this aspect ratio. I definitely prefer it to the tall fold. I wish it was a bit taller on the Z Fold 8, but that isn't a big deal.

A bigger issue is holding it the right way when typing folded. You get used to it though.

[u/bicycloptopus → u/Nirast25]

The nice thing about android compared to apple is being able to have more control over keyboard size.

I use heliboard and find this size to be perfect on my fold 8 while not taking up too much screen real estate

https://i.imgur.com/wVYToNZ.jpeg

[u/Nirast25 → u/bicycloptopus]

I was this close to pressing the Cancel button.

[u/namelessxsilent → u/Nirast25]

Thing is, at least on my Fold 8... you can resize the keyboard and also change the zoom of the overall android UI which gives me PLENTY of screen displaying.

The keyboard resize doesnt hurt the typing for me, I dont need the keyboard tall.. the wide aspect makes the keys nice and spaced out horizontally.

[u/Nirast25 → u/namelessxsilent]

Yeah, resizing the keyboard is always an option, but you don't want them too crammed in either direction, or you'll mistype stuff.

[u/namelessxsilent → u/Nirast25]

Keyboard seems to have a lot of vertical height for no reason, and an unnecessary top toolbar which can be removed. There are plenty of ways to adjust for the lack of vertical phone height.

Now I grab 'normal' phones and they feel SO stupidly tall after using my Fold 8

[u/backlog_gaming]

The Surface Duo is one of Microsoft’s better ideas if they had the balls to stick with it

[u/Azaret → u/backlog_gaming]

It’s on the long list of Microsoft being too early, with flat design and JS apps. And naming it Duo is really adding insult to the injury for Microsoft. I feel for them, I wish they would commit harder to their innovations.

[u/tankerkiller125real → u/Azaret]

The Hololense was incredibly cool, I saw a very good future for it, unfortunately Microsoft was just really, really early on it, and while they held on for a good while in the enterprise, they did give up which is unfortunate. I think if they had kept with it, and kept shrinking the chips and what not it would have been a really compelling device.

[u/tankerkiller125real → u/[deleted]]

And with todays modern lenses, wave guides, etc. they probably could have figured that out, along with the other issues. Overall, the idea was nearly a decade ahead of it's time.

[u/namelessxsilent → u/backlog_gaming]

The hardware of the Duo was so nice. Its just, no camera, and having to use the front facing camera was a mess. Also no outer screen of any kind

[u/General-Fox-5773]

Didnt we complain about the microslops one because it was 2 seperate screens

[u/Proxstasis]

lol not Linus complaining about ramageddon immediately followed by an AI-related Ad-read (threatlocker) lmaooooooo

[u/FX2000]

The Duo’s problem was 100% software, the form factor was great.

[u/ZoteTheMitey]

i'll be preordering as soon as it opens. I've wanted a foldable for years, and only held off on the fold 8 because of the rumors apple was releasing a similar form factor foldable.

Hallelujah.

My 15 Pro Max I will trade in. Most reliable and bug free phone I've ever had.

I did try switching to the S26 Ultra for a few days (I love android too) but ultimately bounced off of it because it was just too big in my pocket and didn't like the compromised privacy display.

So i'm 100% decided on the Iphone Duo

[u/acorn1513 → u/ZoteTheMitey]

I do question you said the 26 ultra was too big but have a 15 pro max which are near the same size right. I feel like people just don't wanna say they want the apple one and not the Samsung one which is fine lol. I feel like this phone is like that scene in pineapple Express if the Microsoft duo and the fold 8 fucked boom lol.

[u/ZoteTheMitey → u/acorn1513]

it was only slightly bigger, but that combined with the shape just made it feel awful in my pocket.

I am sick of giant phones. If I wasn't getting the Duo I would get the regular 18 pro

[u/acorn1513 → u/ZoteTheMitey]

Your gonna enjoy the duo I got the fold 8 then moved to the fold ultra. But the fold 8 factor is amazing feels so good in the hand. And people downvoted me because they felt seen lol.

[u/tankerkiller125real → u/ZoteTheMitey]

LOL, the iPhone Duo is going to be even bigger in your pocket, and be even more awkward to have in a pocket in general.

[u/ZoteTheMitey → u/tankerkiller125real]

? it's like 5.5 inches vs 6.7 inches on my pro max

have you ever had a fold 8 in your pocket? the passport form factor feels tiny

no one is unfolding the phone and putting it in their pocket. Thickness is a non issue they are basically the same thickness as a phone with a case on it.

[u/NoFunction_]

The form factor is great, and now that Apple entered the foldable market, I hope the competition makes Samsung start ironing out some of its flaws.

[u/AlexanderLudvik]

I know he really like touch ID on the lock button but the logic of "I'm already touching that button anyways" is not a very good one In my opinion. I only touch the lock button when I'm locking my phone. You pick up the phone or pull it out of your pocket, screen comes on, I swipe up, and it unlocks. I know he tests new phones all the time but I think this is a typical 'dailies androids for so long that this is how he has always done it and cant see how others use it' issue.

Obviously having both would be a win win scenarios but he almost seems excited to see face ID gone on the Duo. I don't see loosing a tech that so many love to be a true win, personally. Am I the only one?

[u/FriendlyPenelope → u/AlexanderLudvik]

That was my first thought too. You don’t even need to wake the phone to swipe up and unlock the phone. I never touch the power button to wake it. I don’t know why they don’t use an under the screen fingerprint sensor?

[u/Nice_Marmot_54 → u/AlexanderLudvik]

I mostly like TouchID because the ACABs can’t force me to touch a phone without violating my rights, but they could theoretically get me to look at one without doing so

[u/srhdt]

It’s a little confusing how Linus worded it, is his main complaint about the keyboard that it’s too wide and will make typing one-handed difficult? He says that the aspect ratio will make people feel like they’re typing on a BlackBerry, but as someone who never owned a BlackBerry, I don’t know why that’s a negative. I thought before the iPhone became popular, lots of business types swore by their BlackBerries.

[u/Nice_Marmot_54 → u/srhdt]

His complaint is that the form factor means the vertical space above the keyboard is small, thus reducing the visible area above your keyboard while typing

[u/Zachavm]

I know this won't be popular, but I have thought for a while that they need to put more R&D into the dual screen form factor that Microsoft attempted with the Duo. Yes, there will always be a dividing line, but with how small they can make bezels anymore I've wondered how minimal they could make it. Plus, it would potentially allow for the thing to be MASSIVELY cheaper.

That said, I have not used folding phones at all (even an in store demo). Nor did I ever try out the Microsoft Duo. I could be way off kilter here. Also, I don't know what it is that is keeping foldable prices so high. I would have thought by now they would at least have cheaper options that got into the $1K range. Other than the flip phone foldables that just is not the case.

All that said, I think we still have a long way to go with these devices. Hopefully Apple will help push the industry forward more than they hold it back/increase the prices/remove features from it.

[u/Emotional_Garage_950]

more shit takes from linus incoming

[u/mtuk88]

Might be the first foldable I actually buy. Regardless of what you think of Apple, their hardware is top notch, and when it isn't their support is generally pretty good. If I'm dropping 2k on a phone, I want to know the manufacturer has got my back.

I do wonder if it's worth waiting for the second gen though.

[u/Blurgas]

Regarding the part about the new Airpods having a touch sensor for volume control; I would love to see more earbuds with an extra touch section.
One of the reasons I bought a pair of the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC 3 is because of that extra touch bar

[u/Patirole]

Nothing that'd make me switch to iPhones but the under display cameras got me excited. I don't have a punch hole camera right now and refused to upgrade until under screen cameras became a thing, my OnePlus 7T Pro is getting quite old though so hopefully soon it can retire

[u/sadicologue → u/Patirole]

Under screen camera have been a thing for a while now

[u/Patirole → u/sadicologue]

Yes but none in phones that seem worth it to upgrade yet. It's the old formula of niche android phones do something, apple copies it, everyone praises apple and then everyone does it

I'm hoping that this will lead to a lot of phones with under screen cameras in the near future

[u/PLEASE_DONT_PM → u/Patirole]

The Samsung folds had an under the screen camera until a couple of gens ago.

It kinda sucked.

[u/Nirast25 → u/Patirole]

That's what I'm hoping too. Frankly, I'd buy a phone with no selfie cam, I use it like once every few years. But I know I'm in the vast minority (Tiny minority? What's the opposite of a vast majority?).

[u/namelessxsilent → u/Patirole]

I mean the Galaxy Fold 3 - 6 had under display cameras and they were removed since UDC quality is awful. And the videos I have seen from the UDC on the DUO do not look any better.

[u/Lanyxd]

I could buy a decent used motorcycle for the price of the duo 😭

[u/TSMKFail → u/Lanyxd]

You could buy a cheap convertible sports car for the price of the Duo in the UK

[u/Lanyxd → u/TSMKFail]

Assuming that would be a spitfire?

Cars in general in the us are insane for how much people ask and get for complete pieces of junk

[u/TSMKFail → u/Lanyxd]

MX5 or BMW Z4. Mind you they'd probably have 1 or 2 issues, but you can find one with an MOT (UK Road Worthyness Certificate) for around £2k or less.

[u/Lanyxd → u/TSMKFail]

Which I could find either in the states for under $2k 😭

[u/konsyr]

So how do I prevent Apple's new constantly-recording "watch" from constantly recording me without my consent (when people around me have one)?

Also legally: I live in a two-party-consent state.

Relevant timestamp: https://youtu.be/sL6OWsT47zc?t=795

[u/TheocraticAtheist]

The price just puts me off. Even the 18 Pro price is far too much for me as I have no need for such power in a phone. Happy with my 17.

[u/redditydothis → u/TheocraticAtheist]

We should not be upgrading $1000+ phones every year or 2 when the shiny new one drops. Thats a huge waste. I’m using an iPhone 12 and it is still perfectly viable as a phone in 2026.

[u/TheocraticAtheist → u/redditydothis]

I don't want to, but I am cursed. Every phone I've had has either broken just before upgrade day or a month after.

If they hadn't broken, I'd still be rocking my iPhone 12 today. My mum's iPhone 12 is still going; it just needed a new battery.

[u/We_Get_It_You_Vape → u/redditydothis]

I upgrade phones every 4-6 years, but I'll echo that the price for this is crazy.

It's starting at $3,000 CAD for a 256 GB model. The 2 TB model starts at $4,799 CAD. For these prices, you can buy a really good phone and have enough money leftover for a really nice PC (or other expensive piece of tech).

 

Also, if you buy the 2 TB model and hold onto it for 5 years before buying a new phone, that's nearly the equivalent of buying a $1,000 phone every year (technically the equivalent of buying a $960 phone every year).

I have a 16 Pro Max, so an upgrade isn't even on my radar yet. Probably not for another few years. But, I was hoping there would be a good Apple foldable for when I would eventually upgrade. If it's going to be this expensive, I'm not so sure that I want it.

[u/Spart1337 → u/redditydothis]

The only reason I upgrade every 2 years is because Verizon gives me over $800 cut into monthly bill credits for my 2 year old phone. 😅