Apple has just officially entered the foldable phone market with the unveiling of the iPhone Duo; a product that bears striking similarities in naming, design and even multitasking experience to Microsoft's Surface Duo; a foldable phone Microsoft introduced in 2020 but discontinued after two generations.
iPhone Duo specifications
According to reports, the iPhone Duo will be offered at a base price of $1999 for the 256GB version, and its book-style design includes a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display. This product will be available to buyers from October 23.
Strange similarity to the Surface Duo
Many users and tech media have pointed to the similarity between the name “Duo” in Apple's new product and Microsoft’s “Surface Duo.”
Interestingly, previously Apple also took inspiration from the name “Surface Neo,” a product Microsoft never released, when naming the MacBook Neo.
Some promotional images of the iPhone Duo also closely resemble promotional images of the Surface Duo from five years ago.
According to experts, the relatively wide and short shape of the iPhone Duo’s screen (passport format) is reminiscent of the original Surface Duo design; a design Microsoft introduced with two separate 5.6-inch displays and a 360-degree hinge, while most other rivals like Samsung used a single foldable display.
Surface Duo
The story of the Surface Duo's decline
Microsoft released the Surface Duo in 2020 and a year later launched its second version, the Surface Duo 2, addressing some shortcomings. However, the company never released a third generation of the product, which was supposed to have a single-screen design similar to the iPhone Duo, and effectively abandoned the product line.
Analysts believe the main difference between the two companies lies here: despite entering the foldable phone market late, Apple allowed rivals like Samsung, Motorola and Xiaomi to spend years improving hinges, displays and software, and then, by analyzing competitors' weaknesses, released its own version.
In contrast, Microsoft, despite entering the market early, stopped development before the product reached sufficient maturity.
iPhone Duo
Some commentators view this event as a sign of the Surface brand losing its identity; a brand once known for experimental and innovative products like the Surface Book, Surface Studio and Surface Duo, but in recent years has moved more toward producing conventional, lower-risk laptops and tablets.