Abstract:
After using Apple’s first foldable screen phone iPhone Duo for more than two weeks, well-known technology YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) finally decided to switch back to iPhone 18 Pro. This choice was not because he denied the value of foldable screen phones, but after a period of daily use, he found that the traditional flagship model still better met his actual needs.
Brownlee revealed in the latest episode of the "Waveform" podcast that he has officially switched back to iPhone 18 Pro. He said that the camera performance of iPhone 18 Pro is significantly better, and the daily use experience brought by Face ID also makes him feel familiar and comfortable. For a mobile phone that needs to be used frequently every day, these seemingly ordinary functions are actually difficult to give up easily.
In contrast, the most attractive thing about iPhone Duo is still the large screen that can be unfolded. Brownlee said that he will miss the experience of opening his phone, rotating it to portrait orientation, and then reading on the big screen. The reading space and usage provided by the folding screen cannot be completely replicated by traditional straight-format mobile phones.
他甚至用“与产品之间最糟糕的一段关系”来形容自己和iPhone Duo的相处经历，因为这款设备有太多让他喜欢的地方，同时也存在不少令他难以接受的缺点。这种矛盾感，恰恰反映了当前折叠屏手机在产品设计上的现实困境：它能够带来传统手机没有的体验，但用户必须为此接受一定程度的硬件妥协。
Among them, the camera is one of the most obvious gaps. The iPhone 18 Pro is equipped with an independent telephoto camera, while the iPhone Duo does not have a dedicated telephoto lens. Long-distance shooting mainly relies on other cameras and digital zoom. For users who often take photos and videos, this difference will directly affect the daily use experience.
生物识别方式也是一个重要因素。iPhone 18 Pro继续采用Face ID，而iPhone Duo则使用集成在侧边电源键中的Touch ID。虽然两种方案都能够完成身份验证，但在实际操作习惯、解锁便利性以及与系统功能的整合方面，仍然存在区别。
It is worth noting that Brownlee does not consider iPhone Duo a failed product. He still spoke highly of the reading experience on the folding screen, but after more than two weeks of actual use, he gradually became clear about what he valued more. He also mentioned that when folding screen mobile phones are unfolded and used in public places, they sometimes feel like a deliberate display of the device, which also makes him uncomfortable with this way of use.
As Apple’s first entry into the folding screen mobile phone market, iPhone Duo has attracted a lot of attention with its novel shape and large internal screen. However, the differences between it and the iPhone 18 Pro also show that folding screens do not mean that they can surpass traditional flagship phones in all aspects. Although a larger display area can provide unique value, it cannot automatically make up for the deficiencies in cameras, authentication, and daily operating experience.
Brownlee’s choice ultimately reflects a very real problem: whether foldable screen phones can become the main device depends on whether users are willing to sacrifice some traditional flagship functions for a large screen. At least for this technology blogger who has been paying attention to and evaluating smartphones for a long time, the iPhone 18 Pro is still a more suitable choice for daily use at this stage.
Comments