Apple’s upcoming iPhone Fold looks to copy Microsoft’s Surface Duo — and that’s genuinely great news

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For years, people have been predicting a foldable iPhone, and it now seems very likely to arrive next year. Recent leaks have given us a good idea of what it will look like, how big it will be, and what features it will have. This is especially welcome news for those of us who love devices like the Surface Duo.

Although the upcoming iPhone Fold won’t copy the design of the Microsoft Surface Duo with its two separate screens, it will be roughly the same size and shape. The Surface Duo was noticeably shorter and wider than typical smartphones – and most folding phones – which are generally taller and narrower.

The Surface Duo’s unique, wider design made typing incredibly comfortable. It also provided plenty of room for apps and allowed users to easily reach all parts of the screen without the device feeling too small. Despite having 5.6-inch displays, the operating system and apps never felt crowded, thanks to the device’s short but wide form factor.

If the latest reports are accurate, the new iPhone Fold will have a 5.5-inch external screen and unfold to a larger 7.8-inch display. This is similar in size to the Surface Duo, suggesting Apple is aiming for a wide, cinematic-style foldable screen when the phone is opened – and that sounds great.

Most foldable phones have screens that are nearly square, which isn’t ideal for getting work done or watching videos. The original Google Pixel Fold was a nice exception – its wider screen made it much better to use as a tablet, and the Surface Duo was also designed this way. Most other foldables I’ve tried haven’t offered that same benefit.

A wider screen on a foldable phone offers several benefits. It’s easier to use two apps at the same time because each app has more space. Plus, videos look better with less black space at the top and bottom, unlike many current foldable phones which have a square-shaped screen.

I found the Surface Duo to be the best phone for getting things done at the same time, thanks to its two 5.6-inch screens working together as one. It made using two apps side-by-side simple and fun, and I’m hoping the upcoming iPhone Fold offers a similar experience.

As an analyst, I’m expecting the iPhone Fold to blend iOS and iPadOS. This would allow for multitasking – running multiple apps simultaneously – on the larger, folding screen, much like you can on an iPad Mini. Honestly, an iPhone that effectively turns into a compact iPad is exactly the kind of device I’ve been hoping for, and I think it has huge potential.

Rumors suggest the upcoming iPhone Fold might use Touch ID – a fingerprint sensor – instead of Face ID, similar to the Microsoft Surface Duo. Apple is likely to place this fingerprint reader on the power button, just like on the Surface Duo 2, making it easy to unlock the phone whether it’s open or closed.

The new iPhone is predicted to have its biggest battery yet, along with a screen that folds without any visible crease – a feature not yet seen in other foldable phones. While some foldable devices, like the Surface Duo, avoid a crease, they often have a noticeable gap between the screens. However, this advanced technology is likely to come at a high price, potentially exceeding $2,000.

After Microsoft stopped making the Surface Duo, I’ve been searching for a similar phone – one with the same look and shape. The first Google Pixel Fold was the closest I’ve found, with a comparable, more square design that was great for using multiple apps at once.

The next iPhone Fold is shaping up to be very similar to the Microsoft Surface Duo. They’ll be almost the same size and shape, but the iPhone will use a single, folding screen instead of two separate displays. Although I’d personally prefer the two-screen design of the Duo, I’m willing to accept a single folding screen as long as the software makes it easy to use both sides of the device.

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2025-11-26 17:39