{
  "id": 16354694,
  "title": "iPhone Duo one day later: Here’s why its quirks don’t make it any less incredible",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/iphone-duo-one-day-later-heres-why-its-quirks-dont-make-it-any-less",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-24T17:47:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "9to5Mac",
    "slug": "9to5mac",
    "url": "https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/24/thoughts-on-iphone-duo-24-hours-later/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Yesterday, I took my new iPhone Duo out of the box at Apple Fifth Avenue, and it’s been an incredible experience overall. Of course, it’s not perfect, but after just one day of use, I’m eager to continue using it daily – even with a few quirks. When people talk about the iPhone Duo, they usually focus on its under-display FaceTime camera, Touch ID, and app support as compromises. Sure, those are features that create a less-than-perfect experience compared to a regular iPhone, but personally, I don’t think they’re dealbreakers. Last year, Apple amazed many with the iPhone Air, an incredibly thin device that packed a lot of tech into a small form factor. While it had its issues, like subpar speaker quality, a single rear camera, and weaker battery life compared to other iPhones, it still worked well enough and didn’t require major compromises. To me, the iPhone Duo doesn’t feel like I’m sacrificing anything too important. The Touch ID is a bit of a learning curve, but it’s not frustrating. The under-display FaceTime camera isn’t as good as one not under display, but in good lighting, it looks just fine for video calls. As for app support, many early reviewers complained about apps not being updated for the Duo yet, but they overlooked the fact that developers were planning their releases based on consumer purchases, not reviewers. In just a couple of days, more apps have been updated for the iPhone Duo. The secondary screen looks like a cool feature, not just an afterthought. It’s smaller, so you read less on it than you would on a taller display, but the full-width keyboard feels refreshing and focused. However, there are two things I’d like to see improved, which are mostly software-related. First, iOS only allows you to swipe back from the left edge of the device, which feels out of place given that navigation elements are on the right side. It’s not a dealbreaker, and I’ve gotten used to reaching for the left edge, but it would be nice if Apple adjusted this. Second, while the Apple Watch unlock feature works well, it means anyone can unlock your device if they have it. Adding basic camera-based facial recognition as a backup could be a nice improvement. Overall, I’m incredibly happy with the iPhone Duo and excited to use it more in the future. Anecdotally, people can’t stop complimenting it in public, and it’s exciting to see such enthusiasm. One last thing: Apple’s official folio case for the iPhone Duo isn’t a must-have; it’s a bit awkward and not as sturdy as I’d like. I’d wait for third-party options before purchasing. Have you got an iPhone Duo, or are you still waiting for future versions? Let me know in the comments.",
  "summary": "Yesterday, I picked up my iPhone Duo at Apple Fifth Avenue , and it’s been a wonder to use. Of course, the phone isn’t perfect, but after my first day of usage, I’m looking forward to daily driving it – even if it has a couple quirks. more…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}