Small phone lovers: You should seriously consider the new iPhone Duo

Most people looking at Apple’s iPhone Duo folding phone will see the opportunity to carry an iPad mini-like device in their pocket. However, people who have desperately missed the small iPhone 13 mini should instead see it as another chance to carry a compact phone again.

While the iPhone Duo will certainly be known for its flexible internal display, it can still be used as a normal phone when it’s folded closed. In fact, you might not be tempted to unfold the device unless you’re sitting on the couch or watching videos in bed.

In at least one dimension—height—the Duo will be even smaller than the iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini. So, even if you initially dismissed a folding phone for other reasons, its size when closed could be a game-changer. Here’s how it compares to other devices and might be a perfect small carry.

iPhone Duo size comparisons

The iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini were the last modern phones from Apple to be noticeably shorter. One-handed use and pocketability are some of the reasons people have kept their minis, or want them back. Here’s how those devices compare to the new Duo.

The iPhone 13 mini size: 
Height: 5.18 inches (131.5 mm)
Width: 2.53 inches (64.2 mm)
Thickness: 0.30 inches (7.65 mm)

iPhone Duo size (closed):
Height: 4.64 inches (117.8 mm)
Width: 3.31 inches (84.1 mm)
Thickness: 0.44 inches (11.3 mm)

iPhone Duo size (open):
Height: 4.64 inches (117.8 mm)
Width: 6.48 inches (164.6 mm)
Thickness: 0.21 inches (5.2 mm)

For comparison, Samsung’s similarly sized Galaxy Fold 8 phone has a height of 4.88 inches, width of 3.22 inches, and a thickness of 0.38 inches when closed.

To get a basic sense of the size at home, you can use a U.S. passport, which measures 3.5 inches by 4.9 inches.

Why a folding iPhone might appeal to you

The iPhone Duo’s size is only one part of the story. Its short stature should make it easier to reach more of the screen with one hand. But the software is the other part that may tempt you to look at a folding phone more seriously.

The first thing I noticed about the Duo was how different the home screen looks. Up until now, all iPhones have put the dock on the bottom of the screen. The Duo moves it to the right side.

It’s not only the dock that’s moved, though. The Dynamic Island, app controls, and all the information that used to be along the top of the display have also moved to the side. This tweak could potentially change how people use their phones one-handed.

Could there be another mini iPhone in the future?

The iPhone Duo might be the best small phone when it’s closed, but that’s only half of its functionality. Since the Duo starts at $1,999, it’s an expensive way to get another mini-like device.

But now that Apple has created a shorter iPhone in this style, is it possible that Apple makes a non-folding phone like this? An iPhone Solo, if you will.

Never say never, but I think it’s unlikely. The iPhone Air is so thin and short because it’s got two pieces, like two phones stuck together. The iPhone Air is thin, for example, but it has a bigger screen than the iPhone 17 Pro. The internal components have more room to spread out.

If you took away the back part of the Duo, you’d lose about half the battery capacity. The MagSafe wireless charger and other components would also need to be shoved back into the front half.

While we might not get another mini phone, or a single-sided Duo, I think there’s a possibility of a flip-style iPhone in the future. Instead of folding out, like the Duo, a flip one could take the current size of an iPhone and fold it down in half, like the Motorola Razr flip phones.