Apple is currently shipping the iPhone 18 Pro, but the industry’s attention is already fixed on the upcoming iPhone Duo. Set to arrive in stores on October 23 following a week of pre-orders, this will be the tech giant’s first entry into the foldable smartphone market. However, competitors have been preparing for this moment for some time, as anticipation regarding Apple’s specific approach to the foldable form factor has been high.
The competitive landscape is intensifying. Major manufacturers including Xiaomi, Oppo, Motorola, and Samsung have all developed foldable devices featuring a “passport” style design similar to the iPhone Duo. The critical question remains whether these existing options can successfully rival Apple’s offering.
Xiaomi and Samsung were among the first to adopt the wider passport design. The Xiaomi 18 Fold launched just days before the iPhone Duo was officially revealed, sharing similar specifications such as a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen. Despite these similarities, Xiaomi holds several advantages: the device weighs 219 grams, significantly lighter than the iPhone Duo’s 254 grams. Additionally, Xiaomi features a triple-lens camera system providing extra optical zoom, a feature absent on the Duo. The Xiaomi 18 Fold is priced aggressively at 10,999 yuan (approximately $1,640), though it is currently exclusive to the Chinese market.
In the United States, the primary rival to the iPhone Duo is expected to be Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8. Moving away from the near-square profiles of previous models, the new base Z Fold adopts a wider passport shape with 7.6-inch and 5.5-inch screens. Samsung opted for a straighter design without curved corners. In evaluations, the Z Fold8 received an 8.9 out of 10 rating, praised as a superior device for media consumption compared to the more expensive Z Fold8 Ultra, which retains the original square-ish design. Like Apple’s model, the Samsung device features dual rear cameras. Priced at $1,900, it sits just $100 below the iPhone Duo’s starting price.
Other manufacturers are differentiating through battery capacity and charging speed. Oppo’s Find N6 retains a more conventional foldable design with a 6.62-inch outer display and an 8.12-inch inner display. Its standout attribute is thinness; at 8.93mm when closed, it is much closer to the 8.75mm profile of an iPhone 18 Pro than the Duo’s 11.3mm. The Find N6 also houses a substantial 6,000mAh battery—1,600mAh larger than the Z Fold7—and supports 80W wired fast charging. Additional features include IP59 certification and a 200-megapixel main camera. While primarily targeted at Asia, a global model is available, starting at 9,999 yuan (about $1,490), though it is not officially sold in the US.
Motorola’s Razr Fold is another option available in US retail stores, utilizing a design that unfolds from a 6.6-inch outer screen to an 8.1-inch inner display. It boasts an impressive peak brightness of 6,000 nits, double that of the iPhone Duo. The Razr Fold also includes a 6,000mAh battery, 80W charging, a triple-camera system with optical zoom, and stylus support via a $100 add-on. It starts at $1,900.
Despite the fierce competition, Apple appears prepared to defend its market position. Much of its strategy relies on software optimization, with iOS 27 introducing features tailored specifically for foldables, including animated transitions between displays and various usage modes.
Honestly, I’m curious if iOS 27’s foldable software tricks can really offset the hardware disadvantages. Hope it’s not just marketing hype.
Xiaomi’s 219g weight is a game changer. Apple’s 254g Duo will feel like a brick in comparison after just one day of use.