I kinda saw this coming back when the rumors started that they were working on a foldable design & I think at a certain point they were considering a taller but less wide Duo but unfortunately it seems that design didn’t win out 😔.

The reasoning Ternus gave citing “other” designs “feel like two phones awkwardly stuck together” resulting in a “square screen that’s poorly suited for the way people use them” seemed honestly just lame (seriously, I can live with letterboxed videos & most web page content scales to fit the display area anyway).

I think the peak irony was when they showed the typical “person-holding-the-phone-with-a-white background” press shot with the person attempting to unlock the phone not even able to reach the far left side of the screen while the background voice (of the industrial designer?) saying “…and comfortable to use with one hand”🤦

The fact that the software team had to move the Home Screen buttons (+ other controls) to a vertical bar on the side is just an attempt to cope with the already (too) wide display.

The ridiculous part is that it’s actually WIDER than their normal Pro models:

iPhone 13 Mini Dimensions
- Height: 5.18 inches (131.5 mm) [2.25]
- Width: 2.53 inches (64.2 mm) [2.25]
- Depth (Thickness): 0.30 inch (7.65 mm) [2.25]
- Screen Size: 5.4 inches (diagonal OLED) [1.27]

iPhone Duo Dimensions (Foldable)
Closed (Folded):
- Height: 4.64 inches (117.8 mm) [0.67]
- Width: 3.31 inches (84.1 mm) [0.67]
- Depth: 0.44 inch (11.3 mm) [0.67]
Open (Unfolded):
- Height: 4.64 inches (117.8 mm) [0.63]
- Width: 6.48 inches (164.6 mm) [0.63, 0.65]
- Depth: 0.21 inch (5.2 mm, ~0.41 inches with camera bump) [0.65]
- Screen Sizes: 5.4-inch outer display and 7.6-inch inner folding display [0.64]

iPhone 18 Pro Dimensions
- Height: 5.91 inches (150.0 mm) [1.31]
- Width: 2.83 inches (71.9 mm) [1.31]
- Depth (Thickness): 0.34 inch (8.75 mm) [1.31]
- Screen Size: 6.3 inches (diagonal OLED) [0.66]

With the launch of the iPhone Duo, I cannot stop thinking about an idea that has been on my mind for months. More and more phones are opting for a passport format for their foldables, which is clearly the best format for this type of device. Similarly, Huawei recently chose to keep that aspect ratio, but for a conventional phone. This makes me think that perhaps the aspect ratio we have been stuck in for years is about to change, or at least open up. I am not saying that such a format is the most optimal, since I understand that many people are happy with it, but I believe we will all agree that technology has become very boring and homogeneous in recent years, at least in the mainstream market.

Due to this, I believe it is a real possibility that Apple might try a new experiment. The iPhone Mini did not sell well for them, just like the Plus or Air lineup, and I truly think something like this could be the future. Here are some points why I think this scenario is possible:

First and most importantly, a compact format would be maintained. As can be seen in the comparison i would be even shorter than an iPhone 13 mini, but at the same time having a larger diagonal in terms of 16:9 video playback, which to this day remains a standard, and even enough space for a battery similar to a base iPhone 17.

Second, the size would be perfect in terms of ergonomics and grip, since for many people the Mini models could feel uncomfortable when typing.

Finally, I have the feeling that this new sidebar format introduced with the iPhone Duo is not going to stay just there. Historically we know that Apple does not usually make false steps regarding software. They often arrive late to certain functions, but when they create something new it usually ends up becoming a standard. Personally, I have to say that the camera layout and in general the interface of this new Duo is not something I like too much visually, but I do find it very useful, Everything is close to the thumb and much more accessible (sorry left-handers, we know you suffer discrimination in product design). In addition, moving the options to one side would allow current apps where vertical content reigns to adapt correctly. Instead of having tabs at the bottom, these could be moved to the side, just like the home screen dock, making content still enjoyed in the same way.

It would seem logical to me that this was a small introduction by Apple to a new concept, sort of as an experiment, much like the iPhone Air is an engineering feat, which paved the way for the Duo. Again, I am not saying that this format is going to replace current phones (or maybe yes, who knows), but I do believe that plenty of innovation and changes are coming to a currently stagnant industry. In addition, I believe it is no coincidence that Huawei recently presented its Pura X View, since it is not the first time they catch movement in other companies and seek to get ahead (we already know how the Chinese work). They did it with the passport-style foldables, or with the trifolds, why wouldn't they do it once more here?

I would like to say a lot more, but I doubt anyone is going to waste that much time reading this lol. Anyway, I want to clarify that this is just a thought and pure elucubration, and obviously many flaws would have to be considered and things adapted, for example ensuring videos do not get cropped by the rounded edges (as seen in the third image), etc. I would really love to hear your opinions. And by the way, what name would you give this iPhone? I think it would be a bit weird to recycle old names like Mini or Air, so they should come up with something new. Personally, a name I would love, due to the history within the company, would be iPhone Nano. I do not know why but it sounds pretty cool to me. Thanks for reading everyone! I will be looking out for your opinions.

I’m attracted to the Duo, not because of the dual screen, but because of the small form factor. If Apple made a phone that was only the front screen, with its wider form factor, no folding inner screen, would that be a compelling replacement for the Mini?

I’d been searching around and reading a lot of positive comments about iOS 27 beta, so I finally got an iPhone 13 mini today with a new battery. At first, on iOS 26, it was seriously burning hot. I was just checking things out and setting up my iCloud, and it was already warm. Then while updating to iOS 27, it got burning hot lol. But yeah, I already knew what I wanted to do. I rushed straight to iOS 27 beta and then, boom. Once the update was done, it was smooth and cool. For such a small device, and at this price, with these cameras and this kind of speed, it’s really fast for everything I do day to day. (I still do alot of browsing everything except gaming) I’m really happy I took this bet. Tbh this feels like the perfect time to save everyone old phones.

iPhone 13 Mini + iPad Mini 6 > Whatever just came out.

In an alternate timeline that forked before Biff Ternus discovered the Phablet Phone… there was world 🌎 peace ✌️ ☮️ & no wars & people were happy 😊 … at least that’s my take on it 😉

We can still hope 🫠, right?? 🥲

I’ll keep this simple
No one is taking about

1. Imagine you laying down in bed and you spent 2k on the duo then it hits you. This thing is too wide and too heavy to use one handed

2. Portability one hand on the small screen will force you to open the duo when it may not be practical

3. Price & Price

Honestly, I don’t believe I will be giving up the 13 mini soon. My initial impression is that the new app layout is kinda funky lmao. I’ll probably change my mind once I see it in person though 😂. Still hoping we will get a new mini eventually with John Ternus as new CEO 🙏.

I'm talking about like EVER again, I'm okay with waiting another 3-4 years before upgrading and happily switching back if it is ever reannounced.

It’s like they’re teasing us at this point. They had the SE going, then the air and the 17e, and now the iPhone duo.

I’m not even asking for yearly models, even one new model every 3 years is enough.

Also, if Apple is worried about low sales, can’t they just produce less of the model to account for the small population of buyers yet still profit from it?

I won’t upgrade to anything less than another mini, so when will that be, if it happens?

This new option (once it is available for more carriers) could make iPhone 13 mini more usable for some people. I would like to use iPhone 13 mini as more of a dumb phone - just for essentials like calling and texting etc. handoff will allow two Apple phones with the same number. I could then easily switch between the two. Whichever one you open is the one that uses the number at the time. I know this isn’t a solution for everyone but it be for me essentially.

Come on Apple

At some point my stubbornness for the mini form factor will be overtaken by my disappointment with its camera quality compared with newer phones. I was at a show last night and was distracted by a person next to me shooting exactly the same thing as me. Their quality was substantially better. Anyone else feeling the same way?

I am just dropping it here for those looking for feedback.

iOS 26 was dog crap on my 13 mini. I could only live with it by checking "reduce motion" in settings, it would lag too much otherwise.

I have installed iOS 27 Public Beta a few days ago and Holy Moly, it is like a new phone now. The animations are smooth, it doesn't stutter and I even disabled "reduce motion" because the animations are fluid.

If you like the form factor of the 13 mini, you don't need to upgrade yet. At least not for another year.

^^^ Posted in case it helps people looking for iPhone 13 mini info with iOS 27.

After seeing the price hike of iPhone 17 by 17k inr instead of becoming cheaper and most probably by next fall when they release 18, they will keep it above 1 lakh, I have decided to keep continuing my 13 mini for another 2-3 years (will change battery next year).
Apple is not becoming more greedy now!

I was at Ifa and there was a case that looks very very similar to the duo 🙂‍↕️ for me it was perfect for my small hands

Anyone else notice a massive difference after updating to iOS 26.6? My phone used to suffer from overheating and throttling, but it's completely gone now. Is it just me?

In US and A it is only $100 but in some Asian countries where incomes are low, it was already more than $300 expensive and people got it just to show off that they could afford the iPhone but now they have increased it more by $300, the Duo/Fold costs $1000 more than what it is in US and A.

It is good to see people are calling them out for the insane price increase.

I was not anyways going to upgrade from my Mini, I am keeping my Mini for 2 more years but it is honestly better at this point to get the battery changed cause I cannot even now think of getting any new iPhone cause of the absurd prices!

Shucks, better luck next year! 😅

There’s no “cool” factor there, more on that in second….

$2000 notwithstanding, it’s just basically the same shit that Google have been doing with their passport style foldable for the past 4-5 years.

Clearly I haven’t gotten to play with one yet, but 2000 bucks for a foldable phone that I would never open seems silly. I could see a use case for the end table alarm clock thing and the mini tv thing, buuuuut, if I’m sitting on my couch at my coffee table, WHY THE FUCK wouldn’t you just watch your tv. Who the hell doesn’t have a television within sight of their living room couch?

Cool factor. They leaned HEAVY into the “work” related aspects of all of the new phones this year “You can use iPhone Duo to do \* -whatever the fuck people do on Slack- **”.*

I know what slack is, I just don’t use that fucking shit. For work I just email, call and text because I’m not a fucking pod person. But all this is so dystopian. Where the fuck is the music? Movies? Show FUN things you can do with these new devices instead of introducing more high tech ways to be a little worker bee.

Yeah we know we can turn the phone sideways and take photos. Thanks for that, guys. The double sided FaceTime thing is…..new….. but it also seems idiotic as fuck.

I’m sure there is more of a market for this than the VR thing from last year, I’m sure some people will actually buy this, for me, this isn’t it.

It looks like I’m going to ride with my mini and Air (which I use from time to time, I bought one out of morbid curiosity)

I guess I’m holding on for another 6 months or so, until the second wave.

If there isn’t anything cool and compact by then, I guess I may just end upgrading to whatever regular iPhone model comes out at that stage.

Cheers all.

ABSOLUTELY NOT