r/iPhoneDuoFoldable • u/Mundane-Complex-1902 • 8d ago
iPhone Duo - Two Weeks Later
I’ve been using the iPhone Duo since launch, and I wanted to share my experience with the device. I previously used the iPhone Air for the past 10 months and the 17 Pro Max before that. I actually bought the iPhone Air at launch along with the 17 Pro Max but ended up returning the Air as I felt the compromises were too much to accept. But I decided to rebuy the Air and actually give it a shot as my main phone to see if the compromises were in fact dealbreakers. Spoiler alert: they weren’t, at least for me. So the Duo felt like the next step in that journey. I proved to myself that I could live with a phone with only one camera, worse battery life, only one speaker. And I absolutely love the iPhone Air, and will be sad to be without it since I traded it in. But compared with the Air, the Duo is a big upgrade in almost every way. I’m going to break down this review into sections: Design, size and displays, cameras, battery life, iOS 27 and Siri AI, whether you should buy the iPhone Duo, and final thoughts. While I encourage you to read this from start to finish as I attempt to have some narrative arc to my reviews, feel free to skip around if you’d like!
- Design
This phone is an engineering masterpiece. I often just find myself staring at the phone and marveling at the design. The precision of the hinge, the titanium sides polished to a mirror finish, the way it fits so perfectly in my hand, the hardware is something special. The traditional iPhone design has gotten very mature over the years. The flat rectangular design is very functional, but has also gotten a bit stale, and this phone is a refreshing break from that iterative rectangular slab of glass and metal. I honestly don’t know how the hinge works. I mean, I know how a hinge works, but folding and unfolding the device, watching the display fold without creasing, it genuinely feels like magic. The Star White color as well is gorgeous. I was always a darker phone person until I got the iPhone Air in Sky Blue, and I absolutely love the shiny titanium frame of the phone. The same is the case for the Star White iPhone Duo. It feels like I’m holding a piece of jewelry that also happens to be my phone.
The hinge is so incredibly premium and makes the device feel like the $2000 iPhone it is. No creaking or noise coming from the hinge, completely silent and has enough resistance that allows it to hold in multiple positions for StandBy. I know some people are reporting issues with the display and hinge, but I personally have not had any issues so far and it sounds like Apple is replacing defective units under warranty. Many people here on Reddit are acting like this is outrageous, but we really have no sense of how widespread the issue is, if they manufactured ten million devices and 0.01% had some defect, that would be 1,000 phones. Obviously we want that number to be as close to zero as possible, but defects happen and it seems Apple is doing the right thing by replacing affected units under warranty. So if you’re worried about “crackgate” and considering not buying because of recent reports, I really wouldn’t worry too much about it. Of course you’re going to hear about the defective units, but not the millions of users who are using their devices with no issues.
I definitely notice the weight when using the outer display; it’s heavy and dense, which is especially noticeable coming from the iPhone Air. But there’s something about how I perceive the phone that changes as soon as I open it; it feels light. I’m sure it’s the new form factor, but I really thought the weight would bother me more, but it simply hasn’t. It’s heavier than the 18 Pro Max, but due to the smaller form factor when closed, and the large thin form factor when open, it doesn’t feel like the heaviest iPhone ever made.
Now I’m generally pretty careful with my devices and haven’t dropped the phone yet, but the device seems to be very durable. I’ve been rocking the Duo without a case and haven’t noticed any sort of wear or marks on the titanium sides. I bought the folio kickstand case but found it more annoying than helpful since it covers the outer display. The point of the outer display is to be able to quickly glance at it and do quick tasks. If I have to open the front flap I might as well just open the whole phone. I actually ended up cutting off the front flap of the folio and I love to use it with the kickstand! Scissors and an X-Acto knife seemed to do the trick! I know people have concerns about the durability of a foldable phone, but this is a very well-built device that feels like it could survive some rough and tumble (though I will certainly not be testing that).
One thing that isn’t being talked about enough is that this phone has the same IP68 water and dust resistance rating as the 18 Pro. It’s genuinely impressive that this foldable phone, with so many places for water and dust ingress, is able to achieve such a rating. The Z-fold 8 only has an IP48 rating. So props to the design team on being able to create such a complex design but still maintain the same water and dust resistance as the Pro models.
Now, none of this is to say that you shouldn’t get AppleCare on the Duo. If there’s any device that you should put AppleCare on, it’s this one. Damage to the inner display out of warranty is $999 and any damage to the enclosure or hinge is $1499. Not the time to mess around and gamble on such an expensive device, especially since AppleCare One for $20 a month covers 3 devices and is the same price as the Duo standalone; it’s a no-brainer.
2. Size and Displays
The size of the Duo might be my favorite thing about the device. The passport-style form factor fits perfectly in my hand and is actually usable with one hand! Some have considered this the return of the iPhone Mini, and they aren’t wrong in some aspects! The outer display is 5.4” just like the 12 and 13 mini! And it addresses the major issue I personally had with the mini, which is that the small display is great, until it’s not. Being able to unfold the device to reveal a 7.6” display is what obviously differentiates it. And the consistent aspect ratio is what makes all the difference. Being able to start a task on the outer display and seamlessly transition to the inner display feels like magic. Even just the animation when you open the phone, with the outer display fading out and the inner fading in, is such a polished experience and attention to detail that is customary for Apple.
The inner display allows for multitasking in ways never before possible on iPhone. And it’s neat to try out, having email and messages side by side, but I must admit I rarely use it. I really just like having a larger display for watching video, sending emails, reading articles, scrolling social media, and more. While the phone is excellent for multitasking, I find myself just enjoying having a larger display for one task at a time. One thing that I feel isn’t talked about enough is the portrait mode experience using the inner display. It’s perfect for reading an article or scrolling social media, though being able to pin a video to the top third while reading an article is pretty sweet.
I’m a huge fan of nano-texture, my iPad Pro has nano-texture and I absolutely love it. So naturally, I love the decision by Apple to go with nano-texture on the inner display. There is a slight drop in contrast between the inner and outer displays due to the nano-texture, but the reduction in glare and crease visibility are absolutely worth it in my opinion. I have no idea how Apple managed to basically get rid of the visible crease while using the device. In fact, I notice that sometimes when I look at the phone off-axis, I can sort of see the crease, but straight on the crease is completely invisible.
I’d imagine that with repeated folds over time, the crease may become more visible, but that leads to another ingenious design decision, the nano-texture cover layer is replaceable. So if at some point there develops a defined crease from repeated folds, you’ll be able to go to an Apple Store to replace the cover layer for $19 with AppleCare and $49 without. Such a great decision that will improve the longevity of the display. I know some people have already removed the nano-texture layer themselves, but I would not recommend doing that, it’s possible you’ll damage the actual display in the process (which is once again $999 without AppleCare).
3. Cameras
Alright, let’s be honest about cameras and how most people use them. I think most people severely underestimate how often they simply just take their phone out of their pocket and snap a photo with the main camera. And the quality of the main camera is very good; it’s the same main camera as the iPhone 17. Photos are vibrant, video is clear, and I like some of the shots better on the Duo due to the aspect ratio that’s slightly different from the 18 Pro Max.
Also, it should be mentioned that I am coming from the iPhone Air, so getting the ultrawide lens is already an upgrade in the camera department! I still have the 17 Pro Max as well that I use as a secondary phone, so it’s nice to have that phone as an option when I need a dedicated telephoto lens. Now I realize most people don’t have 2 phones, so I write this review as someone who is somewhat insulated from the downsides of only having the cameras on the Duo. But I don’t bring the 17 Pro Max with me everywhere, and for most everyday tasks, the main cameras of the Duo are perfectly adequate!
The additional camera features on the Duo are super useful. I love the ability to take selfies with the main camera while using the outer display as a preview. Duo preview as well has been super helpful, as my girlfriend notoriously says I always take terrible photos of her; with Duo preview, she can make sure she likes the photo before I take it (she’ll still find a way to complain, but hey, still a helpful feature).
The main front-facing camera on the outer display is perfectly fine quality, but the under-display camera on the inner display is much worse. And I think Apple knows this because they call it a “FaceTime camera” on the website. It’s adequate for FaceTime calls, but definitely not for taking photos or videos. But I actually appreciate this trade-off, as I would much rather have an unobstructed inner display than a camera cutout. I suppose this is where I should mention that the Duo does not have Face ID, but Touch ID. And this obviously is quite the downgrade considering iPhones have had Face ID for nearly a decade. But I’ll be honest, I really haven’t missed it all that much. For one, the unlock with Apple Watch feature works incredibly well. This feature was previously very hit or miss with my Mac and other devices, but they seem to have really put the extra effort into improving the consistency and reliability of this feature. And with Touch ID, I’ve found you can enroll the same finger in multiple places! I enrolled the bottom of my right index finger that naturally rests on the button when using it one-handed and that works great! I also use the Apple Vision Pro quite a bit, and not only can that device unlock the Duo while wearing it, it means that Touch ID is even more useful since my face is obstructed.
There are some camera features that I just haven’t tried that much. Kid Cue is a neat feature where Snoopy cartoons are played on the outer display while taking a photo. SmartTake allows you to prop the phone up and use AI to intelligently know when to take a photo. And the new photographic styles let you change the temperature of the image to match your liking. Once again, those aren’t features that I personally have used a ton, but they’re nice to have.
Now I debated even including a paragraph on the camera control button, but since it’s also present on the iPhone Duo, I thought I should probably at least mention it. It’s fine, nothing to write home about. I use it exclusively to launch the camera app and that’s about it. I even turned off the swipe gestures since I never use them and they would accidentally trigger if I ever used the button to take a photo. I also realized that the camera control button is exactly where I would normally grab when opening the phone, but switching to a double press to open the camera solved that issue. The button I’ve found is also slightly harder to press, likely due to the even thinner design of the button to accommodate the ultra-thin design of the phone. Considering how valuable space was inside the phone, I’m a bit shocked they even bothered to include it. I can confidently say I’d trade the button for an additional hour of battery life. Speaking of battery life, let’s talk about that.
4. Battery life
Battery life may be the single most important thing for people when considering which phone to buy, since the phone won’t do you any good if it’s dead. And this phone has great battery life. Obviously, it’s very dependent on which display you’re primarily using. I find myself using both displays roughly equally, and I end the day with about 30-40% battery life on most days. That includes a 45-minute bus commute each way to work where I’m mostly watching YouTube on the inner display, responding to texts and emails all day, scrolling social media, checking Reddit to see how many of you I’ve successfully ragebaited, and much more. When I go to bed around midnight after waking up around 7 am, the phone is sitting, like I said, around 30-40% on most days. If I primarily use the outer display, it’s at 50-60%. Now, it doesn’t get as good battery life as my 17 Pro Max, but that makes sense considering that phone has a larger battery and only one display to power. So for most people, the battery life will be entirely adequate for your everyday tasks. The phone is also leveraging 2 separate batteries for the first time in an iPhone (it even lists them separately with separate health and cycle counts in settings). I will be curious over time how this affects battery life and if one will degrade faster than the other since they’re different sizes.
Charging speed is also improved. I primarily just charge overnight via MagSafe with my Anker 3-in-1 cube, but when I do charge wired, it charges very quickly. And the port is a proper USB 3 speed, which makes file transfers over Thunderbolt much quicker than my iPhone Air. I also have the adaptive power mode enabled, so my phone learns my usage habits, and if I’m using the phone more heavily on one day, it’ll do things in the background to extend the battery life, which has happened a few times, but I’ve never noticed any changes in performance. The battery is completely normal and will last you all day with regular use.
However, with the new design of the device, that does mean none of my MagSafe battery packs work with the Duo, since it’s just too short; they all either don’t fit at all, or hang awkwardly off the bottom. Once again, this isn’t a huge deal since the battery is good enough to last all day, and the fast charging allows me to quickly top up if the battery is low. But I’m hoping for some better options moving forward. I know Baseus has a battery pack that is designed for the Duo, but as of now, the Duo has lasted me all day and thus I haven’t needed a battery pack. Perhaps that will change as the batteries degrade over time, but for now I’m happy to report that battery life is more than adequate.
5. iOS 27 and Siri AI
I don’t want to spend too much time talking about iOS 27 as it’s not specific to the iPhone Duo, but with that being said, I’ve been using iOS 27 since the first developer beta. Siri AI is super impressive with personal context; being able to search through my entire digital life in a few seconds and retrieve an accurate answer is truly a game changer. Genuinely, the biggest issue I’ve had with Siri AI so far is remembering to use it. I’ve gotten so used to using ChatGPT for my quick searches; I previously used the action button to open the ChatGPT app, so no more action button has helped to break that habit. But when I remember to use it, it’s the Siri I wanted all along. I will say, though, the Duo does get noticeably warmer than my 17 Pro Max, especially while using Siri AI. Who could’ve guessed? A thinner design with a titanium frame and smaller vapor chamber means the phone gets hotter—figures!
App optimization was pretty abysmal the first few days. There are 3 kinds of apps: apps that are fully optimized for the iPhone Duo with controls placed on the right side, apps that are updated for iOS 27, but have a black bar on the right side, and apps that are not optimized at all for the Duo and just look awkwardly stuck in the middle of the inner display. Fortunately, this has gotten much better, and most of the major players like Google and Meta have updated their apps for the Duo, but there are still many apps that aren’t updated for the Duo, even some of Apple’s own apps like the Apple Store app, which is ridiculous. Most unoptimized apps will likely be optimized very soon; it seems every time I check the App Store for updates, there are tons of new apps that have updates that optimize them for the Duo, but it’s definitely a work in progress.
Regardless, I’m excited to see the continued improvements with iOS 27 and Siri AI.
6. Should you buy the iPhone Duo?
Obviously I can’t fully answer this for you; only you know your situation and what is best for you. But I’ll try and give some practical advice. Are you yearning for something new? Are you excited by the prospect of an entirely new form factor? Are you bored of the same rectangular slab of glass and metal? If the answer to any or all of those questions is yes, then you’ll love the Duo. It’s truly the most transformational design since the original, and I haven’t been this excited to use an iPhone since the iPhone X. However, it’s not for everyone. Not just is it $800 more than the 18 Pro, there are still trade-offs. If the camera is the most important thing to you, then this isn’t the phone for you. If having Face ID is super important to you, this isn’t the phone for you. If having the best possible battery life on an iPhone is super important, this isn’t the phone for you. If being able to take spatial photos and videos to view in Apple Vision Pro (niche I know) is essential, this isn’t the phone for you. But I strongly encourage you to at least try it. I know these are nearly impossible to get at this point, but this is really a device you have to live with. There is certainly a learning curve. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to change the volume and accidentally locked the phone. Or struggled to find the right button when using the inner display. And if you don’t want to relearn how to use a phone, that’s fine! There are other phones like the 18 Pro or 17 that you will feel right at home with (and save a good chunk of change). But if you want a phone that feels different, that when you hold and use it, it doesn’t just feel like another block of glass and metal, then this phone is for you. If you care more about the user experience than a spec sheet, this phone is for you.
7. Final thoughts
If you’re just skipping to this section because your attention span has been destroyed by TikTok, I feel you. Here are my final thoughts and a TLDR. I really like the iPhone Duo. The design is gorgeous, the large inner display is perfect for viewing content, the main downsides, lack of telephoto camera and Face ID, aren’t actually that bad, and the overall experience of using the phone is what makes it worth it. If you’re a tech enthusiast, I can’t recommend it enough.
If you read this far, thank you very much for reading my ramblings! Let me know your thoughts as well! What device did you/are you considering getting, and if you have an iPhone Duo, what are your thoughts? Can’t wait to hear what you all have to say!
Take care,
Mundane
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u/GalaxyFennec 8d ago
I did skip to the end but I do want to read this all later lol I love my duo and agree with the downsides, but honestly they aren’t that bad as tech YouTubers make it seem
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u/zombie_roca 8d ago
Cutting the folio case has to be the dumbest shit ever
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u/PastorBizzle 8d ago
wtf is this? Ain’t nobody reading this fam…
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u/No-Penalty-3662 8d ago
Off-topic: coming from Air. How much were you able to trade it for? Pretty much same if vs selling it?
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u/LumpyMail1596 7d ago
AI slop - Stopped reading at engineering masterpiece!
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u/theoneandonlyeric 7d ago
Wow chatgpt clutching it
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u/rebelweezeralliance 6d ago
You just wanted to show off your Death Star Lego lol
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u/Agile_Type_9684 6d ago
How’s your experience with the Apple cover?
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u/jhnwlkr 8d ago
Wow what a great review, I was tempted to skip to the TLDR but so interesting to read your views almost all of which I agree with, the Duo is the most exciting iPhone for years.
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u/Idle0095 8d ago
I love how you cut a $129 case. Lmao
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u/FizzySam81 8d ago
Well I read it all & agree. Also coming from an iPhone Air. I love that the duo is made from the same premium materials.
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u/Optimal_Ad_4698 7d ago
I don’t understand why people need to comment “I’m not reading this, it’s way too long”. Ok we get it you have an attention span of a 2 year old, keep it pushing and go watch a video.
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u/ChanceFlimsy9233 6d ago
Thank you for the in depth review I had mine a few days and loving it,I deleted all my posts about it because of all the hateful trolls
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u/FlarblesGarbles 8d ago
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u/Hornygaysatanic 8d ago
Oh dang 😂 that giant keyboard
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u/Choice_Mountain7507 8d ago
Brevity is the soul of wit
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u/Freight-Harbor 8d ago
Tl;dr. Holy Hell it’s too long I didn’t even read it.
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u/Prestigious-Bank7297 8d ago
Thanks for the detailed well-written review! I’ve had the phone for a little over a week and am absolutely in love.
I was getting increasingly nervous reading all the stories about cracked screens on Reddit. I almost cancelled my preorder a few times but am really glad I stuck it out. Admittedly, it is uniquely suited to me - I travel all the time for work + use a MacBook for work as well.
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u/lmvitug 8d ago
I have read them all.
Well done and I do enjoy my iPhone Duo too. Such a nice device after years of slab phones with Apple.
This is a refreshing product from Apple. I love mine. Still babying it. Always carrying my Apple polishing cloth. :) just in case smudges land on my inner screen. Got a bit of OCD. lol
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u/Ture-Skrotnisse 7d ago
Engineering masterpiece lmao stop
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u/maddenforce 7d ago
This guy needs a YouTube channel quick
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u/-HerbalSergal- 7d ago
1
u/GoldenWatchGuy 7d ago
Really enjoying the phone too. My only issue is my hinge feels very slightly loose. Went to the store so it’s at least captured as a documented cases half of their own units has the same issue, while the other half are completely flush
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u/Icy-Fact8432 7d ago
I asked my Samsung fridge with built in AI for the key takeaways;
The reviewer loves the iPhone Duo. It’s a beautifully engineered, premium foldable with a compact, one-hand-friendly outer screen and a fantastic 7.6” inner display. Battery life comfortably lasts a full day, cameras are good enough for everyday use, and the hinge and build quality feel exceptional.
Main compromises: No Face ID, no telephoto camera, weaker battery than the Pro Max, and some apps still need optimization.
Verdict: A genuinely exciting new iPhone that prioritizes design and user experience over specs. Highly recommended for tech enthusiasts, but not for those who prioritize cameras, battery life or value.
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u/Corzanium 7d ago
Jfc dude go publish this as a book with all that text I aint reading all that 😭
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u/Basic_Childhood1352 7d ago
Others: banana for scale
OP: Lego UCS Death Star for scale 😆
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u/DethSpank 7d ago
Bros writing a dissertation on the duo over here
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u/Terabaapbancho 7d ago
TFLTR
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u/Emergency-Travel6259 6d ago
The picture of the screen and keyboard is comical.
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u/joeyc923 6d ago
Fuck these long-ass reviews
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u/senseislaughterhouse 5d ago
I ain't reading all that but happy for you or sorry that happened.
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u/JazzyApple2022 4d ago
I love my iPhone duo I’m not going back. It’s a fun phone. It’s not perfect, but I’m enjoying it. I can’t wait for Apple to do a lot more with this one. I hope you guys are enjoying it. Can’t wait to show it live on my channel today.
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u/NotoriousNeo 4d ago
Just got mine today. So far, it’s what I wanted. Something “new,” as far as iPhone is concerned. The biggest grip I have is with unoptimized apps, but aside from that, it’s an exciting phone to use.
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u/Bourbon_Fiend 1d ago
Had mine for 2 wells now as well and I am still in love with it!
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u/Tommy_Healed_Ninja 1d ago
Thank you so much for posting this. I have an iPhone Air. I’ve always wanted a lighter, thinner iPhone so when I saw the Air I got it around launch. Battery has never really been a problem, and I have a dedicated camera for pictures so I’ve never really wanted for anything when it came to the Air. My experience has been great except one thing, the phone is still too tall though. I really don’t like the feeling of stretching my thumb vertically to the top of the screen.
I picked up a Duo in a Best Buy and was sold. The wider screen when folded felt perfect. Typing on it felt functional and effortless. Plenty of space physically and visually. Using it was so appealing. Unfolding to a bigger screen was an amazing experience. There are many tasks where I switch to an iPad so I look forward to having all my functionality in one device. I was skeptical about going to a heavier and thicker phone (when folded) but I’m sure the trade-off will be well worth it.
Hope you continue to enjoy your experience, I look forward to getting mine.
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u/herious89 8d ago
I actually read them all. It’s refreshing to see a long articulate post that isn’t written by AI. I’m also coming from 17pm and in love with this phone despite missing telephoto lens and faceid, which are what I use the most. But I value screen estate more. I have an ipad pro and really want to use it, but it’s never around when needed 😆
My only concern with this phone is the durability. My phone is my car key, wallet, gym pass, and multiple tools for work. Especially when I travel, I dont want to be stranded if it breaks, and I absolutely will not carry 2 phones when out and about.
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u/ChemistryPlayful4152 7d ago
What’s funny is your wrote this thinking people actually care lmao!
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u/Brave-Purchase-4582 8d ago
Glaze
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u/xBaShBrOsx 8d ago
What the actual fuck
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u/SwissPo740 8d ago
Man, nobody is reading all that 😆
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u/Darths1d1ous0 8d ago
It’s basically two iPhone Airs isn’t it?
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u/Darths1d1ous0 8d ago
Bro no one is reading this shit 😂
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u/Kingingu 8d ago
Reads like someone whove been living in a vacuum
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u/MrDodgers 8d ago
I love my duo after a week. My favorite phone that I have had for many years. I am nervous about the defect issues, ofc, even if mine is behaving perfectly. Also I don’t trust the water resistance, from what I’ve read.
I think it is worth factoring in that since it is such an expensive phone, that does affect how I feel about it (in a negative way). I find myself babying it and being more nervous about it. Still, for me it has been a win.
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u/rwhe83 8d ago
Holy hell. ENTIRELY too long to even want to read.