I took two iPhones on vacation. The Duo won me over.

During a recent five-day vacation, a tech reporter found themselves carrying not one, but two iPhones – the new iPhone Duo and their previous iPhone 17 Pro Max. Initially, the report was intrigued by the Duo, but also faced frustrations with broken apps, unfamiliar gestures, and camera concerns. However, as the trip progressed, the reporter grew increasingly comfortable with the Duo, despite some initial apprehensions.

The Duo's compact size turned out to be a benefit, fitting comfortably in pockets and even being crushed without breaking when accidentally sat on. The phone also demonstrated durability, surviving multiple drops on various surfaces. However, the reporter did encounter some software issues, such as the Google Search app freezing due to its AI Mode and many apps not being optimized for the Duo's screen.

While the lack of Face ID was a significant drawback, especially when using apps and Apple Pay, the reporter found that Touch ID was still effective when wearing an Apple Watch. The reporter concluded that despite some frustrations, the Duo had won them over due to its compact size, durability, and the fact that major apps were being quickly optimized for the device.