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Apple had a chaotic launch week. With the iPhone Duo finally available, tracking down one has proven nearly impossible due to low inventory and persistent shipping delays. Yet despite supply shortages, the initial reception to Apple’s first-ever foldable was remarkably strong.
I’m harder to convince. After testing several of the best foldable phones this year, I compared the iPhone Duo directly to its biggest rivals: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Motorola Razr Fold, and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
None of these folding books are cheap. If you’re preparing to spend almost $2,000 on a next-generation foldable, here’s how each device compares in daily use — and which model truly earns my recommendation.
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| Header Cell – Column 0 | Apple iPhone Duo | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | Google Pixel 11 Pro foldable | Motorola Razr Fold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initial price | $1,999 | $1,899 | $2,099 | $1,899 | $1,899 |
Cover display | 5.4 inches (1398 x 2034) | 5.5 inches (1248 x 1972) | 6.5 inches (2520 x 1080) | 6.5 inches (1080 x 2342) | 6.6 inches (2520 x 1080) |
Foldable screen | 7.6 inches (1878 x 2670) | 7.6 inches (2448 x 1848) | 8 inches (2184 x 1968) | 8 inches (2076 x 2152) | 8.1 inches (2484 x 2232) |
Chipset | A20 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Tensor G6 | Snapdragon 8 generation 5 |
Starting storage | 256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 512 GB |
Rear cameras | 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide | 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide | 200MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto (3x optical) | 48MP main, 10.5MP ultra-wide with Macro Focus, 10.8MP 5x telephoto (up to 30x Super Zoom) | 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP 3x telephoto |
Front cameras | 12MP selfie, under-screen camera | 10MP outdoor selfie, 10MP indoor selfie | 10MP outdoor selfie, 10MP indoor selfie | 10MP outdoor selfie, 10MP indoor selfie | 32MP indoor selfie, 20MP outdoor selfie |
Battery | 4,883mAh | 4,800mAh | 5000mAh | 4,806mAh | 6,000mAh |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
The iPhone Duo’s biggest rival is none other than Samsung’s equally large Galaxy Z Fold 8, which features passport-like proportions before opening into a 4:3 aspect ratio mini-tablet. A $100 price difference separates the two, with Samsung’s handset saving you money up front.
In our iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 showdown, we explain how the two perform for each key metric. The Duo offers a brighter screen, longer battery life, and higher chipset performance. During my photo session, I gave the iPhone Duo a decisive and one-sided victory.
However, when it comes to AI and software utilities, the edge goes to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 simply because Google Gemini is significantly better than Siri AI. Gemini easily handles complex app-level tasks, like placing a Dunkin’ Donuts order through DoorDash, where Siri still falls short.
While third-party apps seem more naturally optimized on the iPhone Duo, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 remains an unrivaled multitasking powerhouse, capable of running three active windows side by side. Additionally, Samsung DeX provides a true desktop computing environment when plugged into an external display. On the other hand, the iPhone Duo only mirrors its screen, which limits the usefulness of a serious workstation.
It’s a very slim comparison, and depending on whether your priority is cameras and battery life or raw software productivity, both devices make compelling arguments.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
After experiencing the Z Fold 8’s wider aspect ratio, returning to the taller, boxier canvas of traditional book-style foldables requires some adjustment. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra takes the base model’s key strengths and augments them, although its $2,099 price tag requires a serious commitment. Fortunately, that premium is backed by an elite three-camera system.
With a dedicated 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, the Ultra delivers significantly sharper long-range photos than the standard iPhone Duo or Galaxy Z Fold 8. Since both dual-camera competitors rely entirely on digital sensor crops for magnification, their zoomed-in photos simply can’t match the Ultra’s sharpness or detail.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy delivers stellar CPU and GPU benchmark numbers, while exceptional power efficiency allows the 5,000mAh battery to last longer than almost any foldable on the market. Additionally, its rigid hinge allows for seamless utility in Flex mode, neatly dividing application interfaces when opened on a desktop.
Ultimately, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra’s case rests on its unmatched endurance, superior optical zoom versatility, and record-breaking peak brightness – our lab tests confirmed it’s the brightest screen we’ve ever measured on a smartphone.
Google Pixel 11 Pro foldable
Among the group, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is the one I would least recommend. It’s not a bad phone, but it’s clearly outmatched by the competition. The main reason to choose it over other options is its suite of Pixel-exclusive software features.
Take Rambler, which I consider the best voice-to-text dictation tool available because of the way it intelligently detects errors and auto-corrects on the fly. Video-wise, it’s the only foldable here that doubles as a teleprompter when you’re filming yourself in Creator mode.
Beyond these benefits, using Android 17 means the broader AI experience feels largely familiar. Google Gemini behaves no differently on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold than on competing hardware, offering identical task automation and proactive assistant prompts. You also get a working Pixel desktop mode when plugged into an external monitor and a dedicated 10.8 MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.
Even with its lower starting price of $1,899, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold fails to make a lasting impression, held back by an uninspired design, poor battery life, and benchmark scores that lag behind the pack.
Motorola Razr Fold
Unsurprisingly, I used the Motorola Razr Fold the longest – and not just because it launched before the competition. It certainly has its compromises, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, which should not be confused with the more capable Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 found in top-tier flagships.
Even with this performance gap, the Razr Fold arguably offers the best value for money. Its starting price of $1,899 includes a generous 512GB of onboard storage, double what its competitors offer at their entry levels. Plus, it has the longest endurance in the category thanks to a massive 6,000 mAh battery. While benchmark numbers for trail class leaders Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, real-world navigation and multitasking still feels smooth.
Where the device really surprised me was the camera’s performance, particularly in its computer image processing. In fact, its AI improvements sharpen 3x telephoto shots so effectively that they routinely beat images captured by the Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s 5x optical lens. The software package is equally compelling, including productivity tools Moto AI and Smart Connect, which unlocks a full-fledged desktop environment when plugged into an external monitor.
Because it guarantees battery endurance, basic storage capacity, and desktop flexibility, it easily remains one of my top daily drivers.
Conclusion
If you are investing heavily in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone Duo remains the wisest choice. For the price, Apple offers an exceptionally designed device with premium finishes that set a high benchmark for foldables. Apple has clearly put a lot of effort into its software, although the optimization of third-party apps can still be improved.
But if you’re platform-agnostic and just deciding which foldable book offers the best return on a $2,000 investment, I recommend the Motorola Razr Fold. It’s the dark horse of the lineup and Motorola has executed brilliantly on its first large foldable screen. Between its long battery life, durable Kevlar vest-like construction, and incredibly capable zoom processing, it’s definitely the foldable in this matchup that I’d spend my own money on.
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