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The iPhone Duo should have been an iPad

The Verge •
October 23, 2026 • 05:00 PM
• By David Pierce
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Also on the Vergecast: PHP chaos, AI shopping, Brendan Carr, and a Netflix reboot.

The iPhone Duo should have been an iPad

On The Vergecast: Notes on an iPhone Duo review, a PHP scandal, Brendan Carr, and more.

On The Vergecast: Notes on an iPhone Duo review, a PHP scandal, Brendan Carr, and more.

We gave the iPhone Duo a 7 /10 . But that wasn’t always the score we planned, and it might not be the right score forever. Such are the challenges of reviewing — and assessing — a big, new idea about the most popular smartphone in history.

On this episode of The Vergecast , David and Nilay debate whether the Duo deserved the score it got, and try to work through how this device might change over time. Is the outer screen, as Daring Fireball’s John Gruber suggested, the worst iPhone ever ? Would it be a better product if it started as an iPad rather than an iPhone? Would we feel differently about this thing if it were simply called the iPad Duo? It’s easy to see how the Duo will improve over time, but will it ever be the phone for everyone?

After that, the hosts talk about the huge PHP cybersecurity flaw that rocked the web this week and what it means for the future of the web, AI, and everything. It was a strange week for the web in general, as the ongoing increase in AI shopping has forced retailers everywhere to figure out how they want to interact with customers — and by customers, we mean Muse agents . Then it’s time for Brendan Carr Is a Dummy, an impending reboot inside of Netflix , and some very confusing Gemini news .

In case you missed it this week: We also talked about vibe-coding creators , chaos in the AI math world , and the flying Tesla Roadster . And we want to hear all your thoughts about all of it! Call the Vergecast Hotline at 866-VERGE11, send us an email at [email protected], and tell us everything that’s on your mind. And make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

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Same Story from Other Publications

Compare how 6 other independent news outlets reported on this story.

6 Publications
Wired
3w ago
I Worked for a Whole Day Using Only the iPhone Duo. Here’s How It Went

I Worked for a Whole Day Using Only the iPhone Duo. Here’s How It Went

A portable keyboard and kickstand make Apple’s foldable a viable emergency workstation—even if iOS still gets in the way.

#phone-duo #iphone #ipad
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Ars Technica
2w ago
Apple reveals updated iPad mini with a bigger OLED screen for $700

Apple reveals updated iPad mini with a bigger OLED screen for $700

Apple claims this is the most significant update ever for the iPad mini line.

#pad #iphone #ipad
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TechCrunch
2w ago
These clever apps show off the iPhone Duo's potential | TechCrunch

These clever apps show off the iPhone Duo's potential | TechCrunch

From retro cassette players and virtual notebooks to flight trackers and even a digital toaster, developers are finding creative ways to take advantage of Apple's first foldable iPhone.

#phone-duo #iphone #duo
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CNBC World
2w ago
Scalpers offer Apple iPhone Duo buyers hundreds extra outside Beijing launch

Scalpers offer Apple iPhone Duo buyers hundreds extra outside Beijing launch

Apple's global launch of the foldable iPhone Duo brought scalpers to the Beijing flagship store looking to pay big for the already pricey devices.

#phone-duo #iphone #duo
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The Next Web (TNW)
3w ago
Apple’s iPhone Duo goes on sale with tight supply and mixed reviews

Apple’s iPhone Duo goes on sale with tight supply and mixed reviews

Apple’s $1,999 iPhone Duo foldable went on sale on October 23 with little walk-in stock, mixed reviews and IDC tipping it to lead foldables.

#phone-duo #iphone #duo
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CNN International
3w ago
The iPhone Duo is Apple’s coolest phone in years. There’s just one problem | CNN Business

The iPhone Duo is Apple’s coolest phone in years. There’s just one problem | CNN Business

There were many times I didn’t want to put the iPhone Duo down. Once you get used to reading, watching TV and scrolling through Instagram on a giant screen, it’s hard to go back to a tiny glowing rectangle.

#phone-duo #iphone #duo
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