Apple unveiled its latest iPhone lineup — the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo — in the early hours of September 10, Vietnam time.

Notably, several Vietnamese technology reviewers and journalists were invited to the US to attend the launch event in person.

Hung Vu

According to journalist Vu Tuan Hung (Hung Vu) of VnExpress, the iPhone Duo is a device that users really need to hold and experience for themselves to fully appreciate how different it is from the foldable smartphones already on the market.

Judging from images alone, the Duo’s proportions appear fairly similar to foldable rivals from Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi. The biggest difference, however, becomes apparent as soon as the device is in hand: the display crease.

The crease on the iPhone Duo is almost invisible. Users can spot it only if they deliberately look very closely; during normal swiping, touching, folding and unfolding, the area feels remarkably seamless. Another standout feature is the display’s matte finish. It not only creates the visual impression of an entirely flat surface but also gives swiping and touch interactions a distinctly premium feel.

The real value of the iPhone Duo also lies in its interface optimization. Using the inner display feels as smooth as interacting with a single, uninterrupted 7.6-inch sheet of glass, almost like a premium version of the iPad Mini. The under-display camera is particularly discreet, virtually disappearing to leave an uninterrupted viewing area.

Finally, the transition animations when folding and unfolding the phone are exceptionally smooth, creating a natural sensation similar to turning the page of a book and making the switch between the inner and outer displays feel remarkably seamless.

As for this year’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Hung said the two models do not bring major breakthrough upgrades. Instead, Apple has focused on improving the experience for photography enthusiasts with an entirely new variable-aperture feature.

Vinh Xo

Technology reviewer Tran Xuan Vinh (Vinh Vat Vo – Vinh Xo), who also attended the event in person, said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max do not represent particularly dramatic changes this year. Their upgrades are mainly aimed at people who genuinely intend to buy and use the devices. One example is the slightly smaller Dynamic Island, which provides more display space.

As for the variable-aperture camera feature, his initial impression is that it primarily gives Apple something new to offer on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The iPhone Duo, however, attracted more attention than any other device at the launch, Vinh said. It surprised not only technology enthusiasts but also ordinary attendees simply because Apple had finally made a foldable iPhone.

The foldable iPhone also delivers a distinctly different experience. The crease on the inner display is almost imperceptible, while the matte screen helps conceal the fold and reduces visible sweat marks and fingerprints.

The software experience is also exceptionally smooth and feels markedly different from that of other foldable phones.

Regarding the VND65 million price tag, equivalent to roughly US$2,460, Vinh said it was reasonable for a premium product. Whether to buy one ultimately depends on individual needs, as this is clearly not a phone designed for the mass market.

Duy Tham

Another well-known Vietnamese technology reviewer, Ngo Duc Duy (Duy Tham), also shared his first impressions of Apple’s new iPhones after trying them in person.

Duy said that, fundamentally, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not major upgrades or dramatic improvements over the iPhone 17 Pro Max. From the outside, the design looks virtually identical. Most of the significant upgrades are on the inside, including the smaller Dynamic Island.

The most valuable improvement is the new camera system, with its variable aperture combined with extensive manual controls that allow users to make deeper adjustments at the hardware level. For people who frequently shoot photos and videos, use an iPhone as their primary professional tool, or work as content creators, this could be an upgrade well worth the money.

With the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable phone, Duy said the company had taken a relatively fresh approach. He was particularly impressed by the way Apple optimized the animations to create seamless transitions between the outer and inner displays, as well as the swipe and touch gestures designed to make full use of the larger screen.

However, he said two questions will require more time to answer. The first concerns the crease in the middle of the display. During his initial hands-on experience, it was almost invisible and could only be felt as a very slight ridge when touched. But will it become more pronounced after extended use?

The second question is app optimization. Apple’s native apps are certain to display well, but what about the third-party apps people use every day? How smoothly will they transition between the two displays? A more definitive assessment will require longer-term testing.

Duy Luan

Another prominent figure in Vietnam’s technology community, Nguyen Ngoc Duy Luan (Duy Luan De Thuong), said Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo was genuinely impressive, with virtually every aspect of the device exceptionally well finished.

The inner display uses nanotexture technology that both reduces glare and effectively conceals the crease, making it almost impossible to see.

When folded, the phone is very compact. Unfolded, its screen proportions are close to those of an iPad, making it well suited for consuming content, multitasking and watching videos.

The iOS interface on the foldable display is attractive, intuitive and shares many characteristics with iPadOS. The wide and ultrawide dual-camera system should also meet the needs of many users.

The foldable screen enables additional functions, such as taking photos with the main camera while still allowing users to frame themselves. The device is also relatively thin, making it comfortable to hold while browsing the web or reading documents.

As for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Luan said the variable-aperture camera upgrade is primarily aimed at professional users and those who are serious about photography and video and want greater manual control. For mainstream users, however, the feature is unlikely to be a major necessity.

Le My