Apple’s foldable delivers near-Pro results from its main and ultra-wide cameras, but reviewers say its front-facing and under-display cameras are a significant compromise.
Early reviews suggest that Apple’s iPhone Duo makes a carefully judged set of compromises on imaging. According to Tyler Stalman, the foldable’s main camera is close enough to the iPhone 18 Pro’s that most users will not notice a gap in everyday shooting, although the Pro still has an edge in low light. The ultra-wide camera appears to be effectively level with the Pro, but the Duo gives up one of the most important tools in Apple’s high-end camera stack: the telephoto lens.
Where the Duo gains ground is in how its two displays change the shooting experience. Because the cover screen can act as a viewfinder, users can take 48-megapixel selfies with the main rear camera, while the person in front of the lens can see a live preview on the outer display. MacRumors says Apple has also added Duo Preview, which shows the subject a live image, and Kid Cue, which plays Peanuts animations, including Snoopy, to keep children looking towards the camera. Those features do not alter image quality, but they make the device more flexible than a conventional iPhone.
The front-facing cameras are the area where reviews turn sharply critical. On the outer display, the 12-megapixel Centre Stage camera trails the 18-megapixel selfie camera on the iPhone 18 Pro, and Stalman says it looks more like the front camera system Apple used before the iPhone 17 line. That is a notable step down on a device that starts at €2,369 in Italy. The in-display camera on the inner screen has drawn even harsher judgement. MacRumors reported that the sensor is 4 megapixels, while Gizmodo described its output as low resolution, washed out and lacking sharpness. Marques Brownlee called it “very first gen” and dismissed the stills as “trash”.
That verdict underlines the trade-off Apple has accepted to make the foldable design work. The under-display camera is visually unobtrusive when not in use, leaving the inner panel free of a visible cut-out, but the quality appears well below the standard of the rest of the phone. Samsung pursued a similar route before moving away from it after poor results, and Stalman’s review raises the same question for Apple: whether the design benefit is worth the photographic cost. For buyers who rely on rear cameras and want the flexibility of shooting selfies with the main sensor, the Duo looks compelling. For anyone who depends on quick front-camera shots or video calls, the weakness of the selfie hardware may matter more than the foldable’s advantages.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
