Photographer Tyler Stalman says most people will not spot the iPhone Duo's main camera gap with the iPhone 18 Pro, though the selfie camera does fall short.
A working photographer has tested the camera on Apple's new iPhone Duo, and his verdict is mostly reassuring. Tyler Stalman says the Duo's main camera looks very similar to the iPhone 18 Pro's in most lighting. The phone is described as almost here, and reviews are arriving before launch.
The Duo has no Telephoto lens, which is the one that zooms in on faraway subjects. Its main camera is also not quite as good as the Pro's. Even so, Stalman says most people will not notice. He adds that the Pro is better in low light, but that this probably will not jump out to most people.
There is a caution. 9to5Mac's own review said the Duo's camera is comparable to the iPhone Air's. Its reviewer found the iPhone 18 Pro's main camera a big improvement over the Air's. Whether the gap matters may depend on how closely you look.
Stalman points to the camera experience. The Duo has two screens. That lets you take 48MP selfies with the main camera, which is a high-detail photo. When you photograph other people, they can see what you are seeing on the screen facing them.
The Ultra Wide lens, which captures a wider view, looks basically the same as the iPhone 18 Pro's, according to Stalman. The front camera is a step down. It is 12MP, while the iPhone 18 Pro and last year's iPhone 17 Pro use an 18MP lens.
Stalman says to expect selfie quality similar to models from before the iPhone 17. The front camera still supports Center Stage and automatic framing, so you can hold the phone in any orientation. The weaker front camera matters less here, since the main camera can take selfies.
The material does not give a price or a release date for the iPhone Duo. It also does not say how the phone compares in other areas. Stalman's full video review is available for anyone who wants to see sample photos.
If you mainly take everyday photos, the iPhone Duo's camera gaps may not matter, but anyone who wants zoom or top selfie quality should look closer.
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