Apple's iPhone Duo officially reached customers in Vietnam on October 23, with many eager to get their hands on the company's first foldable iPhone. But the excitement was quickly accompanied by heated debate over the device's quality and everyday usability.

Technology enthusiasts have praised the iPhone Duo for its refined build quality and sharp outer display. However, Apple's decision to use a matte nano-textured polymer film on the inner screen has become a major point of contention.

Other compromises have also raised questions about whether the device truly delivers the premium experience buyers expect. Despite costing around VND65 million (approximately $2,470), the iPhone Duo lacks Face ID and a telephoto camera, while application optimization remains inconsistent.

On Vietnamese technology forum Tinh Te, a member using the name airwalker attracted considerable attention with a post titled "I sold my iPhone Duo after 30 minutes of use."

According to airwalker, Apple's foldable failed to address his existing smartphone frustrations or offer a compelling new approach to everyday mobile use.

He explained that his ideal smartphone has a screen measuring between 6.3 and 6.9 inches, large enough for work, reading news and watching videos, yet comfortable to hold and convenient for quick interactions.

With the iPhone Duo, he felt Apple had presented users with two extremes: a small screen when folded and a much larger display when opened. Neither configuration matched what he actually needed.

He also found that the device offered little meaningful improvement in entertainment or routine productivity. In some situations, the extra step of folding or unfolding the phone made simple tasks take longer.

For airwalker, genuine innovation does not come merely from introducing a product that has never existed before. It comes from solving familiar problems in better ways, combining technologies intelligently or making complicated experiences simpler.

He argued that the iPhone Duo had failed to achieve this.

At the VND71.5 million (approximately $2,720) price he cited, he expected outstanding display quality, with crisp images, clear text, rich colors and a visual experience worthy of a flagship device. Instead, he found the screen disappointing.

Technology reviewers accused of overlooking shortcomings

Another controversy surrounding the iPhone Duo concerns the way some technology reviewers have covered Apple's latest product.

Critics argue that certain reviews have focused almost entirely on the device's strengths while overlooking the weaknesses that users are now discussing.

Such coverage, they say, creates a one-sided impression and leaves potential buyers without the balanced assessments they need before making an expensive purchase.

Not everyone agrees that reviewers should carry so much responsibility.

One commenter argued that people who can afford the phone should simply try it themselves, research its features and decide whether to buy it. If it turns out to be unsuitable, they can resell it or give it away rather than spending time watching technology reviews.

Touch ID brings new frustrations

Apple's decision to use Touch ID instead of Face ID has become another major talking point on Vietnamese social media.

Many users question why an expensive flagship device would abandon Face ID, a technology Apple introduced with the iPhone X, in favor of fingerprint authentication.

For people accustomed to unlocking their iPhones with a glance, returning to Touch ID can feel like an unnecessary complication.

Facebook user Dao Huy Viet described difficulties caused by the fingerprint sensor's position on the right edge when the phone is folded.

He said the placement made it difficult to unlock the device with his left hand. When the phone is unfolded, the power button changes position relative to how the device is held, making fingerprint authentication even less convenient.

The issue extends to applications that require biometric verification, including banking, messaging and social media platforms.

Where Face ID previously allowed users to authenticate simply by looking at the screen, Touch ID requires an additional physical action.

Another disappointment for longtime iPhone users is Apple's removal of the physical switch for changing between sound and silent modes on the iPhone Duo.

Viet argued that users effectively have to relearn familiar interactions to operate the new device.

For a premium smartphone, he believes this represents a significant drawback. A flagship product should make everyday interactions more comfortable and convenient, not introduce additional obstacles.

Matte inner display divides opinion

Perhaps the most contentious feature of the iPhone Duo is its inner display, which uses a matte nano-textured surface layer.

The coating is essentially a replaceable polymer screen protector rather than a permanent part of the display.

It is designed to make the central fold less noticeable and improve visibility when the phone is used outdoors in bright sunlight.

However, those benefits come with a trade-off.

The matte finish reduces the perceived vibrancy and sharpness of colors on the inner screen, a compromise some users consider difficult to accept in an expensive foldable smartphone.

Because the protective layer is made from a soft material, the crease along the folding line has also reportedly become more visible after relatively little use.

Some technology reviewers have said the crease does not bother them. Others argue that it remains a clear weakness and prevents Apple's foldable from standing out meaningfully from competing devices.

More concerning are reports from some users that their iPhone Duo screens developed cracks despite no apparent external impact.

Apple has reportedly replaced affected devices with new iPhone Duo units.

Whether these incidents represent isolated defects or the beginning of a broader quality problem remains unclear. The scale of any potential issue will only become apparent as more devices are used over time.

Application compatibility is another unresolved concern.

Even after the product's release, numerous applications, including some developed by Apple itself, have yet to be fully optimized for the iPhone Duo's folding display.

For some users, this is particularly surprising given Apple's longstanding reputation for carefully preparing and refining the software experience before launching new products.

As the debate continues, the iPhone Duo is facing scrutiny not simply over its technical specifications, but over whether its foldable design delivers enough practical value to justify its premium price.

Le My