Foldable Frenzy: What Samsung Can Learn from Apple’s iPhone Duo

The release of the iPhone Duo has sent shockwaves through the tech industry. This foldable powerhouse is a game-changer, and its competitors are taking notice. Samsung should be paying attention to what Apple is doing right – and wrong.

Apple excels with its under-display camera on the iPhone Duo. The feature has been met with skepticism in the past, but Apple’s implementation avoids common criticisms of earlier attempts at this technology. By limiting use cases to video calling, Apple minimizes distractions from a prominent camera hole-punch. This might be an opportunity for Samsung to redeem itself with under-display cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 9.

The lack of S Pen support on recent Galaxy foldables has been a sore spot for fans, but Apple’s iPhone Duo shows that it doesn’t have to be this way. The phone comes with stylus support and uses a compatible Apple Pencil model. This is an important lesson for Samsung: don’t sacrifice functionality for the sake of thinness.

Durability is another area where the iPhone Duo excels, boasting an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a mere IP48 rating, leaving it vulnerable to dust. Given the foldable hinge’s many moving parts, this lack of protection is a glaring oversight that Samsung needs to address with the Z Fold 9.

Wireless charging is another feature where Apple shines. The iPhone Duo comes equipped with magnetic wireless charging, making it easy to top off your phone without cables. This is an area where Samsung has historically fallen short – and for good reason: they’ve been slow to adopt integrated magnets that make wireless charging seamless.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset in the Z Fold series is a powerful processor, but it can still get hot under heavy use. That’s why Apple’s iPhone Duo features an actual vapor chamber, which helps dissipate heat and improve sustained performance. Samsung would do well to follow suit with the Z Fold 9.

However, there are some features that Samsung shouldn’t borrow from the iPhone Duo. The curved corners of the phone are not as practical or desirable on foldables. In fact, sharp right-angles are a hallmark of Samsung’s design language – and should remain so.

Finally, there’s the issue of symmetry in design. The iPhone Duo’s lack of visual balance is a jarring aspect of its otherwise sleek aesthetic. If Samsung wants to avoid this pitfall with the Z Fold 9, they’d do well to stick with their signature sharp angles.

As the tech industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that foldables are here to stay – and Apple is leading the charge with the iPhone Duo. Samsung can either follow suit or risk being left behind. With the Galaxy Z Fold 9, it’s time for them to make a bold statement: one that shows they’re willing to adapt, innovate, and maybe even learn from the best.