Considering an iPhone Duo? Here’s what having a foldable phone is really like

The useful part

As someone who's enjoyed foldable phones for several years now, I'm glad Apple's gotten around to making one. The iPhone Duo, which launches on October 23 for $1,999, looks a bit like a passport when it's folded up, and it unfurls to reveal an inner display that resembles a small tablet. While foldable phones have been around for years, Apple believes it has arrived at a better design than its Android-based rivals.

How it works

• I can't yet say whether that's true, but after using all kinds of foldable phones over the years, I can give you a rough sense of what living with the Duo will be like.
• Video is the best use case With the iPhone Duo, Apple is emphasizing versatility.
• You can run two apps side-by-side, prop the phone up like a tent for Apple's StandBy mode, and take selfies with the superior outer cameras while the cover display provides a preview.
• That stuff is all nice, and you'll feel especially satisfied on the occasions that you use them.
• Split-screen also comes in handy for video, as you still get a decent-sized view while being able to read or check email.

Details worth keeping

Even the best foldables come with trade-offs, and Apple's will too. Whenever I'm using a foldable phone, I always gravitate back to video.