iPhone Duo’s reported $2,000 price sets up a choice against iPad Mini
Engadget’s comparison weighs the foldable phone’s all-in-one appeal against the Mini’s larger screen, multitasking and Pencil support.
Apple’s reported iPhone Duo could combine phone and tablet use in one device, but Engadget’s comparison with the seventh-generation iPad Mini points to a steep price premium and trade-offs in how people work and use their devices.
Engadget says the Duo is slated to arrive on 23 October, starting at $2,000 for 256GB. The 128GB iPad Mini starts at $600, according to the article. The publication also notes that a 256GB iPhone 18 Pro and an iPad Mini together would cost less than the Duo.
On specifications, Engadget says the Duo has a newer chip, more memory and higher-resolution cameras. The Mini has the larger display, at 8.3 inches against the Duo’s 7.6-inch inner screen. Both Duo screens are reported to support refresh rates up to 120Hz, while the Mini’s display runs at 60Hz.
The comparison also highlights software and accessory differences. Engadget says the Duo can show an app on each half of its inner screen, while the Mini offers more robust multitasking through iPadOS. The Duo is reported to support only the USB-C Apple Pencil, with compatibility expected later in 2026; it does not support Pencil Pro.
The choice may also depend on whether users want to keep phone and tablet tasks separate. Engadget says a dedicated tablet can help users focus on reading or projects and avoid draining their phone battery during long sessions. The Duo, by contrast, could suit people who value switching between a standard phone view and an expanded screen.
Engadget cautions that the long-term durability of the Duo’s screen crease remains unclear. Its comparison uses the 2024 Mini; a newer model is rumoured, but its timing and specifications are uncertain.
