What refinements does the next version of iPhone Duo need to score high on pocketability? 

Pocketability is an important part of the overall smartphone experience, particularly in the foldable category. While foldables offer the advantage of a larger display in a compact form, their everyday usability also depends on how comfortably they can be carried in a pocket. 

The Techarc Pocketability Index provides an interesting view of how the leading foldable smartphones compare on this benchmark. The latest ranking places the Apple iPhone Duo at the bottom of the seven devices evaluated, highlighting an opportunity for Apple to improve the everyday comfort of its Duo design. 

What does the Pocketability Index reveal? 

The iPhone Duo records a Pocketability Score of 160.09, placing it seventh in the ranking. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra leads with a score of 130.72. 

The ranking is as follows: 

Lower scores indicate better pocketability. 

The difference between the iPhone Duo and the leading Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is 29.37 points. The iPhone Duo also trails the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which records 158.09. 

This places Apple’s foldable at the bottom of the evaluated group, suggesting that pocketability needs to be a more significant consideration in its next version of the Duo. 

What can Apple improve in the next iPhone Duo? 

For Apple, the opportunity is to address the pocketability gap through practical design refinements that improve carrying comfort. 

1. Reduce the thickness 

At 5.2 mm, the iPhone Duo’s unfolded thickness presents an opportunity for improvement. Apple should prioritise a slimmer profile in its next iteration, targeting an unfolded thickness of approximately 4.2–4.3 mm. 

This would bring the device closer to the slim form factors consumers are beginning to expect from premium foldables. A reduction of nearly 1 mm would also help improve the device’s in-hand experience, making it feel slimmer and more comfortable during extended use. 

For Apple, achieving this without compromising structural strength, battery capacity, and overall device reliability should be a key engineering priority. 

2. Reduce overall weight 

Apple should explore opportunities to reduce the overall weight of the device. A lighter foldable would be more convenient to carry throughout the day, particularly when consumers keep their smartphones in their pockets for extended periods. 

3. Reduce the folded thickness 

The next iPhone Duo should aim for a slimmer folded profile. A less bulky device would be easier to slide into pockets and more comfortable to carry during everyday activities. 

The next iPhone Duo should aim for a slimmer folded profile. A less bulky device would be easier to slide into pockets and more comfortable to carry during everyday activities.  

Apple should focus on making the closed form factor more compact, without compromising the usability of the larger internal display. 

The objective: Make the iPhone Duo more comfortable to carry 

The Techarc Pocketability Index establishes a clear improvement opportunity for Apple’s foldable. With a score of 160.09, the iPhone Duo has considerable ground to cover against the better-ranked devices in the evaluation. 

The next version should therefore focus on reducing thickness, lowering overall weight, optimising folded dimensions and refining the external design. 

These improvements should not come at the cost of the large-screen experience that makes foldables attractive. Instead, Apple needs to find a better balance between the benefits of an expanded display and the convenience of carrying a smartphone in its folded state. 

Ultimately, the success of the next iPhone Duo should not be measured only by how it performs when unfolded, but also by how comfortably consumers can carry it throughout their day. 

The goal for Apple should be simple: a foldable that delivers a large-screen experience without making consumers compromise on pocket comfort.