Everything the Galaxy Z Fold 8 does that the iPhone Duo doesn’t

Apple’s first foldable phone has several features that Samsung’s latest foldable lacks. However, the comparison doesn’t go entirely in Apple’s favor.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has some important advantages of its own. Some come from Samsung’s years of experience developing foldable software, while others are basic hardware features Apple has omitted.

The iPhone Duo supports Split View multitasking, which allows users to run two apps side by side on the inner display.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 can run three apps simultaneously in split-screen mode. Users can also open apps in resizable pop-up windows, allowing even more apps to remain on the screen.

One UI also provides a taskbar for quickly launching and switching between apps. Frequently used app combinations can be saved as App Pairs and opened together with a single tap.

Apple’s approach appears to be designed around simplicity. Samsung gives power users considerably more freedom.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 can become something resembling a desktop computer through Samsung DeX.

Users can connect the phone to a monitor or TV and get a desktop-style interface with resizable windows, a taskbar, and keyboard and mouse support.

The phone can continue working independently while DeX runs on the external display. DeX can also be used wirelessly on smart TVs.

The iPhone Duo supports DisplayPort and can output or mirror content at up to 4K HDR. However, it doesn’t provide a complete desktop environment comparable to DeX.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 weighs 201 grams, while the iPhone Duo weighs 254 grams. That makes Samsung’s foldable 53 grams, or around 21%, lighter.

Samsung’s device is also slimmer in both positions. The Fold 8 measures 9.7mm when folded and 4.5mm when unfolded. The iPhone Duo measures 11.3mm and 5.2mm, respectively.

Those aren’t small differences for two foldables with 7.6-inch inner displays. Apple has packed some impressive hardware into the iPhone Duo, but that hardware comes with a noticeable increase in weight and thickness.

Wireless PowerShare allows the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to use its battery to wirelessly charge other compatible devices.

It can come in handy when your Galaxy Buds or another pair of wireless earbuds needs a quick top-up. It can also charge compatible smartphones.

Unfortunately, in typical Samsung fashion, the company has limited the usefulness of its own feature. Galaxy Watches launched in 2024 and later cannot be charged using Wireless PowerShare, making it considerably less useful within Samsung’s ecosystem than it once was.

Still, the iPhone Duo doesn’t support reverse wireless charging at all.

Apple has made the iPhone Duo an eSIM-only device worldwide. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 provides both a physical nano-SIM slot and eSIM support.

eSIM availability has improved considerably over the years, but physical SIM cards remain useful when traveling or switching between carriers. They are especially important in countries where eSIM support remains limited.

Samsung simply gives buyers more choice here.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 can record videos at 8K resolution using its wide and ultrawide rear cameras. The iPhone Duo tops out at 4K.

Most people probably won’t use 8K recording regularly. It consumes a lot of storage, and there aren’t many situations where that resolution is necessary on a smartphone. Furthermore, 8K TVs never really took off, so most users won’t have a screen large enough to actually take advantage of the resolution.

Apple may also continue to offer better overall video quality. Nevertheless, 8K recording is a capability the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has and the iPhone Duo doesn’t.

Both foldables have fingerprint sensors built into their side buttons. Apple calls its implementation Touch ID, while Samsung simply calls it fingerprint recognition.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 also supports face recognition. Samsung’s implementation isn’t a true alternative to Apple’s Face ID. It uses the front camera rather than dedicated 3D sensors, making it much less secure.

However, it remains a convenient additional way to unlock the phone when reaching the fingerprint sensor isn’t practical and as an alternate authentication method in some apps. The iPhone Duo doesn’t offer facial recognition of any kind.

Samsung offers the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in four colors: Pistachio, Lavender, Graphite, and Cream. Availability can differ depending on the country and retailer.

Apple offers the iPhone Duo in just two colors, Night Sky and Star White. Color choice won’t determine which foldable most people buy, but Samsung certainly provides more options.

The price difference is relatively small in the US. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899, while the iPhone Duo costs $1,999.

Outside the US, however, Apple’s foldable can be considerably more expensive. The premium over the Fold 8 is around 18% in the UK, France, and the Netherlands, 25% in Canada, 30% in Australia, and a massive 67% in India.

The iPhone Duo offers features the Fold 8 lacks, but international buyers are also being asked to pay substantially more for them. We took a closer look at how the iPhone Duo makes the Galaxy Z Fold 8 look affordable in some markets.

Apple has made an impressive entrance into the foldable market, and Samsung has plenty to learn from the iPhone Duo. But Samsung still has the more capable multitasking software, proper desktop functionality, a much lighter design, and several useful hardware conveniences.

The iPhone Duo may feel like the more ambitious device in some areas. That doesn’t automatically make it the better foldable for everyone.