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Nothing CEO Carl Pei reportedly considers Apple’s iPhone Duo poor value at its reported $1,999 U.S. price. That is an attributed opinion, not an established verdict: the reported trade-offs matter most if you want Face ID or a dedicated telephoto camera, and less if you would make regular use of the Duo’s larger unfolded display.

What Carl Pei reportedly criticized

PhoneArena reported on Oct. 12, 2026, that Pei viewed the iPhone Duo as poor value. Its report points to the absence of Face ID and camera compromises, including the lack of a dedicated telephoto camera. The original video was not independently verified, so the characterization should be treated as PhoneArena’s account rather than a confirmed verbatim statement from Pei. PhoneArena’s report is the source for his reported opinion.

TechRadar independently describes the Duo as lacking Face ID and a telephoto camera, but its report does not establish Pei’s view. TechRadar’s device coverage provides additional product context.

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What the reported price buys

PhoneArena reported a U.S. price of $1,999. It also reported preorders beginning Oct. 16, 2026, and availability on Oct. 23, 2026. These are secondary-source reports, not confirmation from Apple; check Apple’s current product information for the final price, specifications, and availability before making a purchase.

#1 Best Overall
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
  • Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
  • The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
  • Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.

The Duo’s main distinction is its folding design. TechRadar reports a 5.4-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch inner display. That larger screen could be useful for reading, media, or work when unfolded, while the compact outer display is intended for use with the phone folded. The value depends on whether that change in screen size and form factor is useful enough to you to outweigh the reported feature omissions.

When the iPhone Duo may be poor value for you

  • You rely on Face ID. If facial unlocking is a preferred or essential part of your routine, the reported absence is a meaningful compromise.
  • You take photos that benefit from optical zoom. The reported lack of a dedicated telephoto camera may matter if you regularly photograph distant subjects. A camera trade-off is more consequential for someone who values that flexibility than for someone who mostly takes everyday wide-angle pictures.
  • You would rarely unfold it. If most of your phone use happens on a conventional screen, paying for a folding design may not deliver enough practical benefit.
  • You are comparing it with conventional premium phones. Consider whether the larger unfolded display is worth the reported $1,999 price to you, rather than assuming a foldable is automatically a better value because it has more screen area.

When its trade-offs could make sense

The Duo may be more appealing if you expect to use the 7.6-inch inner display often and want a compact phone when folded. For a buyer whose priority is a larger canvas for media or productivity, the folding design may matter more than Face ID or a dedicated telephoto camera. That is a way to weigh the reported features, not a tested recommendation or a claim that the Duo outperforms other phones.

Quick Recap

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Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.; Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
$300.00
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Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.; Product may come in generic Box.
$262.00
Bestseller No. 5
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, Blue Titanium - Unlocked (Renewed)
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Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU; Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
$627.83
Best Value
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, Blue Titanium - Unlocked (Renewed)
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  • Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
  • There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
  • This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
  • Product may come in generic Box.
Rank #3
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
  • Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
  • Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
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  • Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Rank #2
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, 1TB, Desert Titanium - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1320x2868px at 460ppi, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 4685mAh Battery
  • 1TB, 8GB RAM, Apple A18 Pro (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.05 GHz + 4x2.42 GHz), Apple GPU 6-core, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.3
  • Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.8 (periscope telephoto) 5x optical zoom + 48MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9 (wide)
  • 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Dual eSIM
  • Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
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How to decide before buying

  1. Confirm the current offer. Check Apple’s product information for the final U.S. price, release availability, and specifications; the dates and price cited above were reported by PhoneArena.
  2. Think through your daily use. Ask whether you would unfold the phone regularly for reading, media, or work, or mostly use it folded like a conventional phone.
  3. Rank the compromises. Decide whether Face ID and a dedicated telephoto camera are features you would miss, and compare the Duo with other phones on those needs as well as total price.
  4. Buy for the feature you will use. If the larger inner display is central to your use, the design may justify considering it. If it is not, the reported camera and biometric trade-offs make the value case harder to support.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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