Apple has officially ventured into the foldable phone market with the introduction of the iPhone Duo, which represents the tech giant’s first device featuring a folding screen. While the launch is a significant milestone for Apple, it’s noteworthy that similar foldable products have already been available from competitors such as Samsung and Google. Furthermore, this isn’t the first time the name “Duo” has been used in the tech world.
Historical Prelude of the Duo Brand
The term “Duo” holds a rich legacy beyond Apple’s new smartphone. Notably, the NEC TurboDuo, launched in North America in 1993, combined the functionality of the TurboGrafx-16 console and the TurboGrafx-CD. Despite employing a joint venture with Hudson Soft in its development, the console didn’t achieve the expected success and its production was discontinued by Christmas 1995.
Timeline of Notable Duo Devices
In 2016, Google introduced the Google Duo, a VoIP service designed to rival Skype and Zoom. It supported high-definition video calls and worked across multiple platforms including Android, iOS, and web browsers, ultimately merging with Google Meet in 2022.
Apple made its first foray into Duo-named products with the 1992 launch of the PowerBook Duo. It was a pioneering ultraportable laptop, known for its light weight by omitting built-in ports, requiring users to utilize docks for additional connectivity—a practice still in use today.
The Apple MagSafe Duo, launched in 2023, was a dual-device wireless charger for iPhone and Apple Watch. It was a successor of sorts to the cancelled Apple AirPower and has recently been discontinued, paving the way for newer technology.
Microsoft and Asus: Dual-Screen Innovations
Released in 2020, Microsoft’s Surface Duo expanded on the foldable device genre by using a visible hinge between its dual OLED screens, though it faced criticism due to software limitations and unimpressive hardware specifications.
Asus has made significant contributions to dual-screen laptops with the ROG Zephyrus Duo, a gaming-focused device with twin 16-inch OLED panels, and its precursor, the ZenBook Pro Duo, offering a dual-display setup for enhanced multitasking capabilities.
Modern Takes on the Duo Concept
Eric Migicovsky, leveraging the open-source Pebble OS, launched the Pebble 2 Duo, offering a simpler and cost-effective alternative to more advanced smartwatches like the Apple Watch.
In yet another spin on the “Duo” concept, iRobot teased its Roomba Duo at the IFA 2026. Still a prototype, this innovative cleaning device features a dock with water tanks and a secondary robot for reaching under furniture.
Finally, just before the iPhone Duo’s unveiling, the Retroid Pocket Duo was introduced to avid gamers. It resembles the Nintendo DS, boasting two 120Hz OLED screens with asymmetrical resolutions and modern gaming controls.
Reporting based on coverage first published by theverge.com.