Apple has finally entered the foldable phone market with the iPhone Duo. The obvious comparison is Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, a phone that has already had time to mature. Both phones open into a small tablet, but they take very different approaches.
The iPhone Duo starts at ₹2,99,900 in India, while the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra starts at ₹1,99,999. That is a huge difference, so the better phone depends on what you actually want from a foldable.
Price and availability
| Phone | Starting price in India | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Duo | ₹2,99,900 for 256GB | October 23, 2026 |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | ₹1,99,999 for 256GB | Available now |
The iPhone Duo is much more expensive, even before comparing storage. Apple is positioning it as a premium iPhone first and a foldable second. Samsung has more experience in this category and has priced the Fold8 Ultra closer to its existing flagship range.
iPhone Duo has the more familiar iPhone experience
When closed, the iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch outer display. Open it and the phone becomes a 7.6-inch tablet-like device. Apple uses the A20 Pro chip and iOS 27, with support for side-by-side apps, Apple Pencil USB-C and the usual iPhone features.
The Duo is 5.2mm thick when open and weighs 254 grams. It also has an IP68 rating, which is important because durability is still one of the biggest concerns with foldable phones. The phone is eSIM-only and does not support a physical SIM card.
That makes the Duo a natural choice for people already invested in Apple services, iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Watch and the wider iPhone ecosystem. The software should also feel less intimidating for someone buying their first foldable.
Samsung gives you a larger inner display
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has an 8-inch inner display and a 6.3-inch cover display. That gives Samsung a little more screen space when the phone is open and a more conventional outer screen for everyday use.
Samsung’s software is built around multitasking. You can run multiple apps at once, drag content between apps and use Galaxy AI tools across notes, documents and images. Android also gives you more freedom to customise the home screen and manage files.
The advantage is flexibility. The disadvantage is that Samsung’s interface can take more time to learn, especially if you are coming from a regular iPhone.
Samsung wins on camera flexibility
The iPhone Duo has a 48MP Dual Fusion camera system with a 48MP main camera and a 48MP ultra-wide camera. It should produce strong everyday photos and videos, but there is no dedicated telephoto camera.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has a triple rear camera system, including a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. That gives Samsung a clear advantage for portraits, distant subjects and travel photos.
Apple may still appeal more to people who care about consistent video quality and the simplicity of the Camera app. Samsung is the better option if you want more camera hardware and more control over zoom.
Which foldable has the better design?
Apple’s design is thinner when open and uses a titanium frame, a liquid-metal hinge and two layers of ultra-thin glass. The iPhone Duo also has a clean, wide shape that should make the inner display comfortable for reading and watching video.
Samsung has spent years improving its foldable hardware, so the Fold8 Ultra has the advantage of experience. It is the safer choice if you want a proven foldable design with a larger outer display and more mature accessories.
The iPhone Duo is more interesting, but the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra feels like the less risky purchase. Apple’s first attempt will need to prove how the hinge, crease and inner screen hold up over several years.
Battery and performance
Both phones use high-end processors and are designed for demanding multitasking. The iPhone Duo uses Apple’s A20 Pro chip and a dual-battery system, while Samsung relies on its latest flagship hardware and Galaxy AI features.
The iPhone Duo should have an advantage in long-term software support and app optimisation. Samsung has the advantage in multitasking tools and the larger inner display. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on how often you use the inner screen.
iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: Which one should you buy?
Buy the iPhone Duo if you want a foldable iPhone, already use Apple products and care more about iOS than getting the lowest price. It also makes sense if you want a thin, wide inner screen for reading, video calls and simple two-app multitasking.
Buy the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra if you want better value, a larger inner display, a telephoto camera and more advanced multitasking. It is also the easier recommendation for someone who wants a foldable now instead of waiting to see how Apple’s first model performs in everyday use.
Our verdict
The iPhone Duo is the more exciting phone, but the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the more sensible buy for most people. Samsung gives you a larger screen, more camera flexibility and a much lower starting price.
Apple’s foldable is aimed at people who specifically want the iPhone experience in a new form. If you are willing to pay ₹1 lakh more for that experience, the Duo is the one to get. If you simply want the most capable foldable phone for your money, Samsung is the better choice.
