Mark Ellis gives the iPhone Duo the passport test
His foldable unboxing moves quickly from first impressions to a SIM transfer, with an iPad mini comparison along the way.
Mark Ellis Reviews
Story of Why this story? The video opened at a pace of 145,393 views a day, 5.7 times a normal first day on this channel (25,692).
iPhone Duo Unboxed: My Honest First Impressions
Things we can learn from the video
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- 2:15Ellis examines the finish, hinge and crease, calling it the most creaseless foldable he has used.
- 4:10He transfers his eSIM from an iPhone 18 Pro Max, making the Duo his primary phone.
- 4:27A UK passport provides a physical size comparison for the folded Duo.
- 5:57He tests weight, front-pocket fit and laptop-style typing in Flex Mode.
- 7:54The iPad mini comparison highlights screen size, bezel width and the difference between iOS and iPadOS.
- 8:53Apple TV playback demonstrates the inner display's video proportions and letterboxing.
A burgundy UK passport is Mark Ellis' measuring stick for Apple's folding phone. Held beside the closed iPhone Duo, it makes the unfamiliar shape a little easier to picture than a list of dimensions would.
Ellis has already made a bigger commitment by that point: transferring his eSIM from his iPhone 18 Pro Max. "This is now my main phone. I'm doing it," he says.
"iPhone Duo Unboxed: My Honest First Impressions" drew roughly 95,000 views in eleven hours. Its estimated first-day audience is nearly six times the usual for a regular upload on Mark Ellis Reviews. The Duo already has a substantial place in his catalog: September's hands-on is among the channel's most-watched regular videos.
This time, the questions are practical. Does it feel heavy? Can it fit in a front pocket? What's it like typing with the phone partly folded into a miniature laptop? Ellis says it doesn't feel heavy at all, and calls it "the most creaseless foldable smartphone I've used."
Putting it beside an iPad mini also exposes a distinction that extra screen space doesn't erase: the tablet runs iPadOS, while the Duo runs iOS. An Apple TV playback test shows the black bars viewers can expect around video on the inner display.
The comments add a few requests for longer-term testing, including how the closed phone's width feels in the hand. Ellis finishes by opening the official case, then choosing to start without it.
Published on Trari
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What viewers say
Reminded me of the Psion series 3 from the late 90’s clamshell when in landscape with keyboard, boy do I miss mine 🙂
@stephenbamforth1514See it on YouTubeThey made it look like you’re turning a page when you open it and I like it a lot
@SpearthemanSee it on YouTubeGreat review as always! Could you update us after a few weeks of usage on how the extra width of it feels on the hands when closed and used as a regular phone? I've heard that some people are finding it uncomfortable but I'd rather hear it from the aul reliable 🤣👍🏼
@plaherneSee it on YouTube
4 more comments
I notice in flex mode you have the the screen side down on the surface. I guess a screen protector would be necessary then if you plan to use it like that.
@patsysgardenSee it on YouTubeIf I didnt have an iPad already, I'd get the duo. Very cool product that finally does something different
@BroMan360BroSee it on YouTubeWatching and typing this from my iPhone duo, immediately loving it! Such a fun little piece of tech
@teejaaie5029See it on YouTubeI was fortunate to have gotten mine today. Still warming up to it, but…it really is brilliant. Definitely a learning curve, but it’s not as significant as some reviewers have indicated.
@JeffBurkeSee it on YouTube
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- Channel
- Mark Ellis Reviews
- Subscribers
- 318,000 ▲ 2,000 this week
- Channel views, last 7 days
- 895,044
- Channel views, pace per day
- 67,476 (on a normal day: 121,167)
- Video published
- October 23, 2026
- Video views so far
- 95,439 (less than a day online)
- Video views, pace per day
- 145,393
The numbers
The Duo unboxing is starting well above the channel's usual pace for regular videos.
💡 Test your knowledge
Which tablet does Ellis place beside the unfolded iPhone Duo?
He uses an iPad mini to compare display size, bezels and operating systems.