Tom Marieb, Apple’s vice president of hardware engineering, shared remarkable details about the company’s foldable phone, iPhone Duo. Speaking to TechRadar, Marieb emphasized the fold mark, which can become more noticeable over time, especially on foldable screens. Stating that the matte nano-textured screen used in the iPhone Duo was not preferred only to reduce reflections, the manager said that this surface will also make the shape differences in the folded part of the screen less visible. Marieb stated that Apple’s claim on this issue can be tested by users over time and that the company is ready to be held accountable for its footprint. Thus, it seems that Apple has created a direct expectation regarding the screen print, which is one of the most discussed points of foldable phones.
According to Marieb, glossy screens reflect light more directly at certain angles, making it easier to notice small differences in level and shape on the panel surface. One of the reasons why Apple chose a matte surface on the iPhone Duo was to reduce this effect. While the nano-textured coating helps control reflections on the screen, it can also make small surface changes that the hinge may cause as a result of long-term use less obvious. In addition, it is understood that the company does not rely only on software or visual methods, but also considers the screen and hinge structure together. Even if the fold mark does not disappear completely, Apple’s aim is to make it less noticeable, especially in daily use.
iPhone Duo hinge is designed for different uses
Another part that Apple worked on for a long time was the hinge of the iPhone Duo. While Marieb said that the hinge design was one of the parts that he was particularly proud of, he stated that it took quite a long time to achieve the correct mechanical structure. The company aimed not only to develop a durable hinge, but also to give the user the feeling of a solid and controlled mechanism when the phone is opened and closed. For this reason, the resistance and torque characteristics applied by the hinge have been adjusted in detail. While Marieb compared this feeling to the solidity of closing a high-end car door, he said that Apple did not want a loose or uncontrolled structure when opening and closing the phone.
It is important that the hinge is not too loose so that the iPhone Duo can be used not only fully open or closed, but also at intermediate angles. Thanks to the mechanism designed by Apple, it will be possible to stand the device partially folded on the table or in an upright position. This structure can offer the user additional options in video calls, content viewing, or scenarios where certain applications make use of two screen sections. However, the long-term durability of the hinge in foldable phones is not an issue that can be evaluated only by the feeling of first use. How the mechanism behaves over the months and years will be one of the key factors that will determine how successful Apple’s design approach is.
Marieb also talked about Ceramic Shield 2 technology during the meeting and stated that he is not keen on screen protectors. It is known that Apple is trying to make the screen surface durable with its own protective materials and coating technologies. However, the fact that foldable screens have a more complex structure than classic smartphone panels creates more variables regarding scratch resistance and long-term use. The results of the iPhone Duo in real usage conditions will therefore be evaluated not only by the hinge design, but also by the durability of the screen coating and the appearance of the folded area over time. The extent to which Apple’s approach to screen protectors will change user habits can be understood more clearly after the device goes on sale.
According to the information in the source text, pre-orders for iPhone Duo will start on October 16, and the device will go on sale on October 23. The model, whose starting price for Türkiye is announced as 229,999 TL, is in the upper part of Apple’s product range in terms of price. At this level, users will expect not only a new form factor, but also a screen and hinge structure that can last for years. The extent to which Apple’s matte nano-texture screen choice can actually hide the crease and how consistent the hinge torque remains over time will directly determine the using experience of the iPhone Duo. Although the technical details provided by the company seem promising, the real evaluation can be made by the performance of the devices in long-term daily use.