This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
Before the iPhone Duo launched, I bought both of Apple’s own accessories for it, the iPhone Duo Case and the Stand Folio, and compared them on a mock-up. Each has trade-offs. If you carry the phone around and want to avoid scratches, get the case. If you want to show off the iPhone Duo’s premium feel, get the folio. Both are on display at Apple Stores, so seeing them in person is the best way to decide.
What I tested
- Apple iPhone Duo Case, navy blue (also in sand): ¥14,800 including tax, Apple’s price at the time of recording. I bought it at an Apple Store in Tokyo because delivery was quoted at 2–3 weeks
- Apple Stand Folio for iPhone Duo, taupe (also in navy blue): ¥24,800 including tax, Apple’s price at the time of recording
- Fitted to two homemade iPhone Duo mock-ups (white and black, based on rumours), since the phone was not out yet when I filmed
- Weighed both and tried them with MagSafe accessories
What I found
- Even though it is first-party, the case attaches with double-sided adhesive. That may feel odd if you are used to regular phones, but my Galaxy Z Fold8 case also uses adhesive on the screen side, so it seems to be normal for foldables. The Apple Store staff mentioned it too, and suggested the folio, which attaches magnetically, for anyone who would rather avoid adhesive.
- The case looks a lot like an iPhone silicone case. It is well made but not especially luxurious. The folio feels much nicer, and its stand mechanism is cleverly done.
- With the case on, the bezel is about 2.8 mm, so the phone gets a little chunkier and bigger. The folio does not cover the sides, so it barely changes the size.
- This was my biggest concern with the folio. The iPhone Duo lets you take selfies with the main camera while looking at the outer screen. With the folio on, you have to open it to see the back screen, so that trick does not really work. For an expensive accessory, it cancels out one of the phone’s best features.
- The case is just a frame, so the outer screen and main-camera selfies work as normal. That includes the feature that shows a character on the outer screen to get a child to look at the camera.
- The case weighs 30.1 g (with the adhesive backing still on; just under 30 g without it). The folio is 57.2 g, so it is noticeably heavier.
- Both support MagSafe, and the case holds magnets quite firmly. On the folio, the MagSafe position shifts when you open it: the magnets are on one side only, and the other side just has a recess. I had not seen that coming.
- The case leaves the hinge exposed. After a month of carrying my Galaxy with its hinge uncovered, it had no scratches just from going in and out of a pocket, so I do not think this is a big worry.
| iPhone Duo Case | Stand Folio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Apple, incl. tax) | ¥14,800 | ¥24,800 |
| Weight (my scale) | 30.1 g | 57.2 g |
| Attachment | Double-sided adhesive | Magnetic (MagSafe) |
| Sides | Covered | Exposed |
| Hinge | Exposed | Covered |
| Outer-screen selfies | Work normally | Need the folio opened |
| Feel | Like a silicone case | Premium, with a built-in stand |
Who it’s for
If you take the phone out and about, I would choose the case: the iPhone Duo is expensive, which is exactly why I would not want to scratch it, and the case protects the sides and keeps outer-screen selfies working. If you want to make the most of the iPhone Duo’s premium look and like having a stand, the folio is the one. The colours and textures differ more in person than in photos, so check them at an Apple Store if you can.
The video is in Japanese.
Limitations
I compared them on homemade mock-ups before launch, not on a real iPhone Duo, so the fit and sizes may differ slightly on the actual phone. The hinge-scratch comment is based on my experience with a Galaxy foldable. Prices are Apple’s prices in Japan at the time of recording.
Products
Apple iPhone Duo Case (navy blue): on Amazon Japan
Apple Stand Folio for iPhone Duo (taupe): on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
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This review is also available in Japanese.