Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo opened in limited quantities in Vietnam and worldwide at 7 p.m. on October 16. Authorized Apple retailers are scheduled to begin official sales at 8 a.m. on October 23, when customers who placed advance orders will start receiving their devices.

Ahead of the launch, several Vietnamese technology influencers, commonly known as key opinion leaders (KOLs), and tech journalists began sharing their hands-on experiences on social media between the afternoon of October 21 and the morning of October 22.

Several of them posted unboxing videos and early reviews of the iPhone Duo on Facebook, highlighting both its distinctive features and some limitations.

Hung Vu, a technology journalist at VnExpress, shared his experience unboxing the blue-black version of the iPhone Duo.

He noted that the device's finish attracts fewer fingerprints than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The upper section houses a camera module resembling that of the iPhone Air, while the glossy edges remain prone to fingerprint smudges. However, Hung said the edges are relatively thin, making the issue less noticeable in everyday use.

One notable feature is the return of a power button with an integrated fingerprint sensor, a feature that has been absent from Apple's iPhone lineup for years. Below it sits the Camera Control button, while the volume buttons have been relocated to the top edge, similar to their placement on the iPad.

The outer display has an unusual aspect ratio resembling the proportions of A4 paper, designed to maintain visual consistency with the inner screen when the device is unfolded vertically.

Regarding software compatibility, Hung explained that Apple has addressed the unconventional screen dimensions by positioning frequently used applications, including Phone, Messages and Safari, toward the right side of the display.

This arrangement allows the main application area to retain proportions similar to those of a conventional iPhone, although the visible area is slightly shorter.

Vietnamese tech influencer Vinh Xo also published an early unboxing video of an officially distributed iPhone Duo.

His device was a 512GB model carrying the XA regional code, packaged in a relatively slim box. Inside, Apple included a notice informing users that they no longer need a physical SIM card because the device uses eSIM technology.

Although the iPhone Duo features a matte display, Vinh Xo pointed out that Apple does not include a cleaning cloth for removing fingerprints, unlike with certain previous iPad models. Users who want one will therefore need to purchase it separately.

For Vinh Xo, the most compelling aspect of the iPhone Duo is the experience of folding and unfolding the device, which produces a distinctly different sensation compared with other foldable smartphones.

He observed that the crease in the inner display was barely noticeable when the device was first opened. However, after several days of use, the crease became more visible.

The outer screen delivers sharp visuals even under strong sunlight, although its glossy surface produces noticeable reflections.

By contrast, the matte inner display offers somewhat less vibrant colors but significantly reduces glare.

The under-display camera, which has attracted considerable attention, is primarily intended for selfies, according to Vinh Xo.

Information shared by Vat Vo Studio indicates that this camera supports video recording at only HD resolution.

Both rear cameras feature 48-megapixel sensors, although the absence of a dedicated telephoto camera was seen as a disappointment.

At 252 grams, the iPhone Duo is also relatively heavy. When folded, it can be awkward to hold from the left side, while the gray rear panel tends to collect fingerprints.

Software optimization remains another concern with the early review units.

Some applications, including Vietnam's popular messaging platform Zalo and certain games, have yet to be fully adapted to the foldable display. When opened, these applications leave a black strip along one side of the screen.

Vinh Xo said the affected applications are expected to receive updates after the October 23 launch to improve compatibility with the iPhone Duo.

Other Vietnamese technology personalities, including Nguyen Ngoc Duy Luan and Tuan Le of technology publication GenK, have also shared their impressions on their personal Facebook pages. Both expressed satisfaction with Apple's first foldable iPhone.

Perhaps the most enthusiastic reaction came from tech influencer Ngo Duc Duy, widely known as Duy Tham.

After holding the white version of the iPhone Duo, he compared the experience to the first time he held an iPhone X nearly a decade ago.

For him, the sensation was unlike anything he had experienced with any previous iPhone model Apple had produced.

Le My