Apple and Samsung are competing for attention in the premium foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Apple's first foldable iPhone enters a segment where Samsung has already established a strong presence through its Galaxy Z Fold series.
Both devices offer large folding displays, flagship processors and advanced camera systems. However, they differ in pricing, design, display dimensions and software experience.
Apple iPhone Duo vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Price in India
The Apple iPhone Duo starts at ₹2,99,900 for the 256GB storage variant in India. Higher storage options include 512GB, 1TB and 2TB. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at ₹1,99,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage model. It is also available in 512GB and 1TB configurations. Samsung's foldable is considerably more affordable at the entry level, while Apple positions its first foldable as a higher-priced premium device.
Display and Design
The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch foldable Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology and a 5.4-inch external screen. It has a titanium frame and a folding display engineered to minimise the visibility of the crease. Samsung offers an 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X internal display and a 6.5-inch cover screen. Both displays support adaptive refresh rates of up to 120Hz. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra weighs approximately 215 grams, compared with 254 grams for the iPhone Duo.
Processor and Software
The iPhone Duo is powered by the A20 Pro chipset and runs iOS 27. It supports Apple Intelligence and is designed to integrate with Apple's wider ecosystem. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and runs Android 17 with Samsung's One UI 9 interface. It includes Galaxy AI features and offers up to 16GB of RAM. The choice will largely depend on software preferences: Apple offers integration with its devices, while Samsung offers Android flexibility and multitasking.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone Duo has a dual rear camera system with a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera. It also includes a 12-megapixel external front camera and an under-display camera for video calls on the inner screen. Samsung has a triple rear camera setup: a 200-megapixel primary camera, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Samsung's telephoto lens adds an option for zoom photography, while Apple's system focuses on main and ultra-wide photography.
Battery and Charging
Apple claims that the iPhone Duo can deliver up to 31 hours of video playback using its internal display and up to 44 hours using the external display. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra features a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired charging and 20W wireless charging. Apple and Samsung use different battery specifications and testing methods, so advertised playback figures should not be treated as a direct comparison of everyday battery life.
Which Foldable Smartphone Should You Choose?
The iPhone Duo may appeal to users who already use Apple products and want a foldable device with iOS 27, Apple Intelligence and access to Apple's ecosystem. Its 2TB storage option may attract buyers who need substantial internal storage. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra could suit people who prioritise a larger internal display, a lighter design, a dedicated telephoto camera and Android multitasking. Its lower starting price also makes it a more accessible premium foldable. Ultimately, the better choice depends on budget, operating system preference and the features that matter most to the buyer.
