{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","title":"The iPhone Duo Debate Continues","description":"On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show (https://www.front.macrumors.com/?p=1065966&preview=true) , we revisit the iPhone Duo (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-duo/) debate, early impressions of AirPods 5 (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/airpods/) , and the merits of Apple's latest iPhone and Apple Watch upgrades.\n\n00:00 Intro\n03:41 iPhone Duo Hype and Compromises\n15:26 Will the iPhone Duo Sell Out?\n17:45 The iPhone Duo Display Debate\n22:34 Who Is the iPhone Duo Actually For\n28:09 Can the iPhone Duo Replace an iPad?\n32:54 AirPods 5 First Impressions\n36:43 Apple Watch Series 12 and the New Health App\n42:25 Is the iPhone 18 Pro Worth Upgrading To?\n55:44 Outro\n\nApple's first foldable iPhone continues to divide opinion, with much of the discussion centering on whether its larger inner display justifies the compromises elsewhere (https://www.macrumors.com/guide/iphone-18-pro-vs-iphone-duo/) . Combining an iPhone and an iPad-like device has obvious appeal, but its value depends on how often that extra screen space would actually be used.\n\nWatching videos, reading, referencing documents, and working across multiple apps could all make the foldable display worthwhile, particularly when traveling. For users who primarily take photos, send messages, and browse social media, the benefits may be harder to justify against the device's price, weight, thickness, and camera trade-offs. The excitement surrounding a new form factor also raises the question of whether buyers will embrace it for the long term or return to a conventional iPhone.\n\nOur discussion also addresses criticism of the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s inner display, including concerns about sharpness, color saturation, and crease visibility. Its nano-texture finish (https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-folding-screen-layers/) introduces a balance between reducing glare and retaining the appearance of a glossy screen, with hands-on impressions offering a different perspective from photos and videos online. Other considerations include using the wider form factor one-handed, switching from Face ID (https://www.macrumors.com/guide/mask-face-id/) to Touch ID (https://www.macrumors.com/guide/touch-id/) , and potentially replacing an iPad (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipad/) on some trips.\n\n‌AirPods 5‌ emerge as a potential standout (https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/airpods-5-hands-on/) following a week of use, including on a flight. Their fit and improved active noise cancellation could make them particularly appealing to users who struggle with AirPods Pro's silicone tips. We also consider the value of the higher-end model and how iOS 27 (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ios-27/) 's equalizer can help adjust a sound profile that may initially seem too bass-heavy.\n\nThe Apple Watch Series 12 (https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-watch-series-12-announced-all-day-hr-sensor/) and redesigned Health app (https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-27-health-app-new-features/) receive a closer look, with this year's health features forming a more substantial upgrade after several relatively modest generations. Clearer presentation of health data and new longevity information promise to make collected metrics more useful. Whether those additions justify replacing an older watch remains a separate question for owners whose basic fitness and sleep-tracking needs are already met.\n\nFinally, we return to the iPhone 18 Pro (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-18-pro/) 's variable-aperture camera (https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/both-iphone-18-pro-models-variable-aperture-camera/) , smaller Dynamic Island (https://www.macrumors.com/guide/dynamic-island/) , and new Photographic Styles (https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/texture-and-grain-controls-photographic-styles/) . The discussion weighs how noticeable these changes will be in everyday use, with the new film-inspired styles potentially offering as much appeal as the camera hardware improvements. We also look at whether owners of recent Pro models have sufficient reason to switch (https://www.macrumors.com/guide/iphone-17-pro-vs-18-pro/) , and when a discounted iPhone 17 Pro (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-17-pro/) could offer better value.\n\nStart your business with Shopify and get everything you need to sell online and in person. Start today at https://www.shopify.com/mac","author_name":"The MacRumors Show","author_url":"https://audioboom.com/channels/5096144-the-macrumors-show","provider_name":"Audioboom","provider_url":"https://audioboom.com","width":480,"height":95,"thumbnail_url":"https://audioboom.com/i/43844204/600x600/c","thumbnail_width":600,"thumbnail_height":600,"html":""}