Apple has unveiled what it calls the "widest" iPhone in its history. Gently lift the rounded corners and flip open the screen like turning a page of a book, revealing a wide 19.3cm horizontal display. This is Apple's first foldable phone, the "iPhone Duo."
On Friday, as lines of people rushed to purchase Apple's new products, the "iPhone 18 Pro" and "Pro Max," across Seoul, Apple also revealed the iPhone Duo for the first time ahead of its full release next month.
The standout feature that drew attention is undoubtedly the "asymmetric rounded corners." Instead of filling the corners with a sharp rectangular shape, the edges where users grip and unfold the device are smoothly finished in a soft, round D-shape.
This was also the most talked-about aspect when the product was first revealed online. As a foldable phone that requires repeated folding and unfolding, Apple emphasized natural handling. On-site reactions included praise such as, "When placed on a desk, it looks like an art object."
Holding the actual device reveals a display that occupies 90% of the screen area. When folded, the display measures 13.6cm in width, similar to a passport. The surface texture is matte, with almost no visible creases. Apple applied premium nano-texture glass to reduce glare and reflections.
Netflix fully leveraged these features. Netflix recently redesigned its app to match the iPhone Duo's display. The app's aspect ratio has been optimized for the iPhone Duo so users can browse "preview" clips of new movies and TV programs while the device is closed.
When users unfold the device while watching a preview clip, it naturally transitions to a wider screen. A key advantage is that no lag occurs in video or audio during this transition.
Apple has implemented the "multi-tasking window," a laptop advantage, on its phone. Users can open desired applications or screens on both sides simultaneously and use their fingers to swipe and freely work on documents or transfer photos. For example, users can open the gallery on the left screen, select desired photos, and swipe them into an SMS window opened on the right screen, instantly attaching the photos to a message. This reduces the hassle of switching between multiple windows to check attachments and type messages.
The camera is a 48MP (48 million pixels) Fusion main camera. It can shoot at up to 48MP resolution without a shutter lag. With optical-grade 2x telephoto zoom, users can get closer to their subjects.
Notably, the "variable aperture" feature, which was the biggest highlight of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max cameras released in Korea today, is not included in the iPhone Duo. Instead, a camera for "FaceTime" has been installed inside the display. This allows users to turn on both the front and rear cameras simultaneously during calls, enabling them to show their face and surrounding environment to the other party on a single screen.
The iPhone Duo is available in two colors: Star White and Night Sky. Pre-orders begin next month on the 16th, with purchases starting on October 23.
in TECH
