Passport-size foldables, iPhone Duo and Galaxy Z Fold 8 compared
Folded, the iPhone Duo and Galaxy Z Fold 8 are almost the size of a Malaysian passport. Here is what the passport-style design means, the actual dimensions, Malaysian prices from RM7,299 and which one suits you.
Foldable phones no longer have to be tall and narrow. Two new foldables this year, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable, use a shorter, wider shape. Folded, they are almost the size of a Malaysian passport. Opened, they look like a passport lying open.
This is called a passport-style design. Here is what that means, the actual dimensions of both phones, their prices in Malaysia and who should pick which.
What is a passport-style foldable
Book-style foldables come in two shapes:
- Tall and narrow. The cover screen is long and narrower than a regular phone's, and the inner screen is almost square. This has been the Galaxy Z Fold shape since 2019, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra now carries it on.
- Short and wide (passport-style). The cover screen is wider, so the keyboard and apps feel like they do on a regular phone. The inner screen sits horizontally, which suits videos and photos.
The shape is not new. The Oppo Find N (2021) and Google Pixel Fold (2023) tried it before Google moved to a taller shape with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. What is different this year is that Samsung and Apple have both chosen the passport shape.
How big they are compared with a passport
Passport booklets follow the ICAO international standard size of 125 × 88mm. Here is how the phones measure when folded:
| Height | Width | Thickness | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysian passport | 125mm | 88mm | ||
| iPhone Duo | 117.8mm | 84.1mm | 11.3mm | 254g |
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 | 123.9mm | 81.9mm | 9.7mm | 201g |
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (tall shape) | 158.4mm | 72.8mm | 8.9mm | 215g |
Both passport-style phones are actually slightly smaller than a passport. The iPhone Duo is shorter and wider than the Fold 8, but thicker and 53g heavier. At 254g, it is the heaviest iPhone yet, 5g heavier than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Unfolded, the iPhone Duo measures 164.6 × 117.8mm and is 5.2mm thick. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 measures 161.4 × 123.9mm and is 4.5mm thick. Apple's official image below shows the iPhone Duo both ways.
Displays, iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold 8
| iPhone Duo | Galaxy Z Fold 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cover screen | 5.4-inch | 5.5-inch, 16:10 aspect ratio |
| Inner screen | 7.6-inch, about 1.42:1 aspect ratio | 7.6-inch, 4:3 aspect ratio |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
The iPhone Duo's inner screen is almost the same shape as a sheet of A4 paper. The Fold 8's inner screen is 4:3, the same ratio as photos from a typical phone camera, so photos fill the screen without being cropped. Landscape videos show smaller black bars on both than on the tall Fold.
The wider cover screen also makes typing easier. SoyaCincau, which tried the Fold 8 at its launch, found the keyboard on the cover screen comfortable to type on.
Other differences that matter
iPhone Duo
- A20 Pro chip.
- Touch ID on the side button, not Face ID.
- eSIM only, including the Malaysian model. There is no physical SIM slot, so make sure your mobile line supports eSIM before you buy.
- Two 48MP rear cameras (main and ultra-wide), no telephoto lens.
- IP68 water and dust resistance.
- Up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner screen and 44 hours on the cover screen, according to Apple.
- Apple Pencil (USB-C) support arrives later this year.
Galaxy Z Fold 8
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip.
- 4,800mAh battery, 45W wired and 20W wireless charging.
- Two 50MP rear cameras (main and ultra-wide), no telephoto lens. Only the Fold 8 Ultra has a telephoto lens.
- IP48 water resistance. The 4 means it is protected against objects 1mm and larger, but it is not fully dustproof like IP68.
- No S Pen support.
- One UI 9 based on Android 17.
Prices in Malaysia
The iPhone Duo comes in Star White and Night Sky. Pre-orders open at 8pm on Friday, 16 October, and sales start on Friday, 23 October.
| Storage | Price |
|---|---|
| 256GB | RM9,499 |
| 512GB | RM10,499 |
| 1TB | RM12,499 |
| 2TB | RM15,499 |
Apple Malaysia offers 0% instalments over 24 months with eligible credit cards, which works out to about RM395.79 a month for the 256GB model.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 comes in Graphite, Cream and Lavender, plus Pistachio as an online exclusive. It launched in Malaysia on 22 July.
| Memory and storage | Price |
|---|---|
| 12GB + 256GB | RM7,299 |
| 12GB + 512GB | RM8,099 |
| 16GB + 1TB | RM9,699 |
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at RM8,099 for 12GB + 256GB.
At 256GB, the iPhone Duo is RM2,200 more expensive than the Galaxy Z Fold 8. These are official prices. Retailers and telcos may offer their own rebates or instalment plans.
Which one should you buy
- Pick the iPhone Duo if you already use an iPhone, iPad or Mac and want to stay in the Apple ecosystem, or you want IP68 dust resistance and up to 2TB of storage.
- Pick the Galaxy Z Fold 8 if you want a passport-style phone that is thinner, lighter and cheaper, or you are more at home with Android.
- Pick the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra if you want a bigger inner screen (8-inch) and a telephoto lens, and do not mind the tall, narrow shape.
If you can, hold both in a store first. The wide shape feels different in the hand and in the pocket, and you will notice the iPhone Duo's 254g weight more than you would with a regular phone.
Frequently asked questions
What is a passport-style foldable?
A short, wide book-style foldable. Folded, it is almost the same size as a passport booklet. Opened, its screen sits horizontally, like an open passport.
Is the iPhone Duo smaller than a passport?
Yes. Folded, the iPhone Duo measures 117.8 × 84.1mm, slightly smaller than a standard 125 × 88mm passport booklet. But it is 11.3mm thick.
How much is the iPhone Duo in Malaysia?
From RM9,499 for 256GB up to RM15,499 for 2TB. Pre-orders open at 8pm on 16 October, and sales start on 23 October.
How much is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in Malaysia?
From RM7,299 for 12GB + 256GB up to RM9,699 for 16GB + 1TB.
Can the iPhone Duo use a regular SIM card?
No. The iPhone Duo is eSIM only, including the models sold in Malaysia.
Read also
Sources
- Apple Malaysia, iPhone Duo, technical specifications
- Apple Malaysia, Buy iPhone Duo
- Samsung UK, What is the difference between the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Fold8?
- SoyaCincau, iPhone Duo: Apple's first foldable coming to Malaysia on 23 Oct, priced from RM9,499
- SoyaCincau, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 hands-on
- SoyaCincau, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, Ultra and Flip 8 price in Malaysia
- Lowyat.NET, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Launches Officially With RM7,299 Starting Price
- 9to5Google, iPhone Duo is thicker and heavier than basically every Android foldable
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