If you bought an iPhone Duo, have you kept or returned it? [Poll]

When Apple announced the iPhone Duo back in September, the company called it “the most transformational change to iPhone since the original,” and there’s no doubt that it generated a huge amount of excitement.

But a new report suggests that for some buyers the novelty quickly wore off, and they ended up returning their devices. Is this just a handful of people, or is it more common … ?

It’s been a very long time since any smartphone launch has generated quite so much buzz. Apple called it a breakthrough in iPhone design.

iPhone Duo features a breakthrough foldable design that’s beautiful, versatile, and durable, opening up possibilities that feel entirely new yet remarkably familiar […]

“iPhone Duo is the most transformational change to iPhone since the original. With an entirely new design and intuitive experiences, it shows what’s possible when hardware and software are engineered together and redefines what it means to use a foldable phone,” said John Ternus.

Despite not really being the target market for the phone, I was still wowed by the launch video and remained incredibly impressed when I got some hands-on time with one.

Many couldn’t resist buying one despite the price – but The Verge notes that not everyone has ending up keeping the device. Apple allows you to return any product within 14 days for a full refund without having to give any reason. That window has come to an end for some of the first buyers and the site’s Alison Johnson spoke with some of those who’d decided to take advantage of it.

There were a few specific issues:

• It’s too heavy and bulky
• The outer screen is too small
• The cameras aren’t as good as those on the iPhone 18 Pro

But the more fundamental reason for some is that it hasn’t really lived up to their hopes for a multifunctional device.

“If I can have an iPad in my pocket, that would be great.” So thought Ben Seligson, a content creator, photographer, and now former iPhone Duo owner […] “Usually I’d throw a YouTube video on the iPad or throw a podcast up. And then I start cooking dinner and leave my iPad in one spot, but I’d have my phone in my pocket if I got a text, or I needed to set a timer or something like that.” With the Duo, the phone was also the iPad on the counter, so a quick reply became much more of an interruption.

I’m curious as to whether this is just a small minority of buyers or a more common phenomenon. If you bought a Duo early enough to have hit the end of the return window, please take our poll to let us know whether you decided to keep it or return it – and do share your reasons in the comments (which are now back).

Oh, and the good news for anyone buying one now is that you’ll have a lot longer to make up your mind, with the extended return window for the holidays in place. You can now return anything bought today through January 8.

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