[After using it] iPhone Duo, the screen was bigger, but the novelty was small

After using Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, for a week, the screen was larger, but the experience was familiar.

I was satisfied with the large screen that reduced light reflection, the ample battery, and the solid folding feel. It was also very convenient to enjoy videos and webtoons by opening the screen in the existing iPhone usage environment.

However, the method of launching two apps side by side or folding them halfway to take a picture was a feature that was also used in existing foldable phones. The screen split ratio could not be adjusted, and some apps did not take full advantage of the wider screen. The heavy weight and absence of Face ID were also disappointing.

The fact that Apple is providing free replacements for defective products due to internal display defects that emerged early in the launch is also something that makes you think about purchasing.

There were no screen cracks or damage in the trial product, but it was difficult to judge long-term durability after just one week of use. Providing a differentiated experience commensurate with the price of over 3 million won remains a task.

◇ Less light reflection and firmer folds... Weight and durability are a burden

The most impressive part was the ‘nano texture’ applied to the 7.6-inch internal display.

Thanks to the nearly matte surface, light reflection was noticeably less even under lighting. When I swiped my finger, I felt a unique texture that felt like rubbing paper.

However, the colors were more subdued than the external screen and the vivid and intense feeling typical of glossy OLED was less. Evaluation may vary depending on taste.

The crease in the center of the screen was barely visible from the front at first, but after a week it became a little more noticeable than on the first day. It is difficult to determine whether the wrinkles have actually deepened or become more visible as you get used to the screen.

The feeling of folding and unfolding was also satisfactory. The hinge moved firmly with appropriate resistance, and the screen could be fixed at the desired angle.

On the other hand, the weight of 254g was burdensome. When folded, it fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, but it is heavy and it is not easy to hold it in one hand for a long time when it is unfolded.

The overall build quality felt solid. Since a week is too short to judge durability, it remains to be seen how wrinkles and screen condition change when repeatedly folded and unfolded.

The worldwide duo's 'crack gate', which causes damage near the hinge, was not found in the product used by the reporter.

◇ Videos and webtoons are refreshing… Split screen and app optimization are disappointing

The true value of a large screen is revealed when enjoying content.

After launching Netflix, I opened the product halfway and placed it on the desk. A video appeared on one screen and a playback control button appeared on the other. I was able to comfortably watch the video without a separate stand.

I was able to enjoy the pictures and dialogue in the webtoon more clearly than when watching it on a small screen.

However, as it was in the early stages of release, there were differences in the usability of the large screen depending on the app.

KakaoTalk and Netflix worked well in the Duo environment, but many apps were displayed narrowly in the center of the screen, leaving blank space on both sides. This is an area that can be improved in the future thanks to developers' response, but this inconvenience had to be endured when using it for now.

It was also nice to be able to run two apps side by side for the first time on the iPhone. There is one more reason to use the screen while sending and receiving messages, such as checking web pages.

However, it is difficult to understand that the screen split ratio is fixed at 50:50. Compared to competitor foldable phones that provide various multitasking functions, the freedom of use was reduced.

◇ Battery is satisfactory... I can feel the empty space in Face ID.

Battery life exceeded expectations. Since there are two screens and the internal screen is large, I expected it to run out quickly, but I didn't feel like it lasted long.

The camera is equipped with a 48-megapixel main and ultra-wide-angle camera. There is a limit to high-magnification shooting as there is no separate telephoto camera, but it was convenient to be able to check the subject's appearance on an external screen or fold the product in half to shoot with a fixed composition.

What surprisingly required adaptation was biometric authentication.

Instead of Face ID, Duo applied Touch ID, a fingerprint recognition function, to the side button. As someone who has used Face ID for several years, the process of placing your finger on the side button each time for authentication was quite cumbersome.

The reaction speed did not feel as fast as expected. However, the fingerprint recognition itself was stable, and the movement of the finger on the button was clear, so some users seemed to find Touch ID more comfortable.

◇ Around 3 million won for a familiar experience… Apple's differentiation is a challenge

The best thing about using Duo for a week was that I was able to enjoy the foldable experience on my iPhone.

The idea of ​​doing simple tasks on a small screen and then expanding it to a large screen when watching a video or webtoon was definitely attractive. Another advantage is that you can enjoy the convenience of a larger screen while maintaining the existing iPhone usage environment.

It was highly commendable that Apple carefully refined the familiar foldable experience in its own way.

However, it did not immediately come to mind what kind of new experience Apple had presented in the foldable phone market that has developed since 2019.

The functions of folding the screen halfway to watch a video, running two apps side by side, and taking selfies with the rear camera are already available in competitor products.

Apple has refined this usage method with sophisticated design and solid build quality.

The screen with reduced light reflection and battery life were satisfactory, but there was room for further improvement in the freedom of screen division.

In order to fully utilize the features of the large screen and the price of over 3 million won, optimization is also an urgent task for app developers.