{"id":9291,"date":"2026-10-24T10:56:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T10:56:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=9291"},"modified":"2026-10-24T10:56:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T10:56:30","slug":"unique-apps-to-try-on-the-iphone-duo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=9291","title":{"rendered":"9 Unique Apps to Try on the iPhone Duo"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Despite seven years<\/span> of Android folding phones<\/a>, Apple’s iPhone Duo<\/a> launch has spurred developers to create quirky, weird, and fun apps that experiment with the folding design (leaving Android owners feeling like second-class citizens yet again).<\/p>\n

I’ve reviewed almost every folding phone<\/a> in the past decade, and my inbox has never seen this many app pitches from indie developers wanting to show off their app for Apple’s first foldable.<\/p>\n

Some of these apps aren’t necessarily new<\/em> but use the phone’s hinge to offer fresh experiences. You’ll also find a \u201cMade for iPhone Duo\u201d badge on apps that make best use of the larger screens on the App Store. From a game that has you closing the phone to grill a piece of toast to a clever way to memorize flash cards, here are nine unique apps to try on your new Apple handset.<\/p>\n

Battlefleet Duo<\/h2>\n
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Board games will have a field day on the iPhone Duo, and Battlefleet Duo<\/em> is the best example. On the larger 7.6-inch screen, you get a sprawling canvas, but in tabletop mode, you can view your ships on the bottom screen and the enemy’s fleet above. That’s especially great if you have a friend with the iPhone Duo, as you can play local multiplayer and sit across from each other just like you would with the old-school Battleships. You can play two free battles every day, or unlock unlimited battles with a one-time $5 purchase\u2014no ads or subscription.<\/p>\n

Flipcorder: Retro Camcorder<\/h2>\n
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Reminiscing about the long-lost days of the pre-smartphone era? Flipcorder offers simple pleasure, turning your iPhone Duo into a camcorder, so you can make new memories that feel like the old days. Open the app, and the outer display will show a \u201cclosed lens\u201d\u2014open the Duo to \u201ctake the cap off,\u201d then start recording. The user interface is retro, and video clips have a filter to emulate VHS (it has a MiniDV filter too). I really like that you can view your \u201ctapes\u201d and everything is cataloged by day, so you can see 30 minutes of footage in one stitched-together clip.<\/p>\n

As you\u2019re recording, the person on the other end can see a preview of the video on the outer display\u2014that kind of dual-display experience is only available to camera apps, so if you were hoping to read a book and have the outer display appear as the book cover<\/a>, that’s sadly not possible at the moment.<\/p>\n

RectoVerso: Flashcards<\/h2>\n
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\"An<\/picture><\/span><\/div>\n

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Flashcard apps are a dime a dozen, but nothing quite captures the physical experience of flipping around a flashcard like RectoVerso. This $13 app lets you import your own text\u2014your classroom notes or even a PDF\u2014and uses Apple Intelligence to automatically create flashcards on the subject matter. Alternatively, you can import decks from Anki, another popular flashcard app, or write your own. The magic is when you’re actually studying. Don’t know the answer? Slightly open the iPhone Duo, and the answer will gradually appear\u2014fully open, and you get the full answer. That way you can bang your hand on the desk and say, \u201cAh, I totally knew that<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

PianoFold<\/h2>\n
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\"Iphone<\/picture><\/span><\/div>\n

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Who doesn’t love a rhythm game? Pop your iPhone Duo into a 90-degree angle and let the blocks in PianoFold<\/em> reach the middle crease\u2014that’s when you tap the corresponding column. You need to time your taps perfectly, unless you enjoy listening to Bach get butchered in real time. There are 40 levels across eight chapters, and the game rates your performance (out of three stars) at the end of each song. You can retry as many times as you’d like. The first two chapters are free, though you can also play one song for free every day. For full access, you’ll have to pony up $5. There are no ads and no subscription.<\/p>\n

Toastie<\/h2>\n
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

When I showed my wife Toastie<\/em>, she remarked that it might be the first time she ever wanted an iPhone (she uses a Pixel<\/a>). That’s high praise! This delightful $3 app asks you to construct a sandwich on the iPhone Duo’s inner screen. Each recipe has specific instructions you have to follow, and when you’re done, you’ll need to close the iPhone for a few seconds\u2014however many the recipe says\u2014to \u201cgrill\u201d your sandwich. Open the phone back up, and it’s ready to serve! That is, if you haven’t burned it. There are only 10 recipes, so you’ll probably get through this quickly. But hey, at least you can say you’ve used the world’s most expensive toaster.<\/p>\n

Portal<\/h2>\n
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\"iPhone<\/picture><\/span><\/div>\n

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Want to focus? Or relax? Portal lets you play relaxing soundscapes\u2014listen to a volcano’s bubbling lava or waves crashing on a beach\u2014but you can also see<\/em> these sights on the Duo’s 7.6-inch canvas, in tabletop mode, or on the outer screen in tent mode. It’s very relaxing and an excellent companion for travelers who rely on a sound machine to fall asleep. You can also follow calming breath exercises, or set focus timers to get stuff done. The app boasts more than 100 vistas, from Iceland’s black beaches to enchanting UK woodlands. The app is free, though you can only access three portals refreshed monthly. Full access costs $3 a month, $30 per year, or $100 for a lifetime membership.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n