A Brief Overview of Duo Devices’ Evolution

Apple unveiled its first folding-screen device today, the iPhone Duo, but it’s not breaking new ground. The Duo isn’t the first foldable device on the market, thanks to competitors like Samsung and Google, nor is it the first product to bear the Duo name.

Steve Jobs once said, “good artists copy, great artists steal,” but will the iPhone Duo’s innovative folding screen, featuring a custom nano-texture display to reduce crease visibility, be enough to overshadow the other Duos that have come before it? Only time, and Apple’s marketing strategy, will reveal the answer. Did we overlook any notable Duos? Share your thoughts!

NEC TurboDuo
Merging the capabilities of the TurboGrafx-16 and the TurboGrafx-CD, the NEC TurboDuo (later just the Duo) hit North America in 1993 after its initial launch in Japan as the PC Engine Duo. Developed through a collaboration between NEC and Hudson Soft, it never achieved the popularity of the original TurboGrafx-16 and was discontinued on Christmas Day in 1995.

Google Duo
Launched in 2016 and eventually integrated into Google Meet in 2022, Google Duo was designed as a VoIP service to rival platforms like Skype and Zoom, replacing Hangouts. It was available across Android and iOS devices as well as web browsers, supporting high-definition video calls while being optimized for slower mobile networks.

Apple PowerBook Duo
The iPhone Duo isn’t even Apple’s first Duo; that title goes to the PowerBook Duo, which predates today’s announcement by decades. Introduced in 1992, it was the smallest and lightest PowerBook at the time, weighing over 4 pounds. Apple achieved this compact design by omitting built-in ports and expansion features, requiring users to rely on optional docks for peripherals. If you’ve ever needed a USB hub for your MacBook, you can thank the PowerBook Duo.

Apple MagSafe Duo
Twenty-three years after the PowerBook Duo was phased out, Apple introduced the MagSafe Duo charger, capable of wirelessly charging an iPhone and an Apple Watch simultaneously. However, it felt like a consolation for the AirPower wireless charger, which was announced in 2017 but never released. The MagSafe Duo was discontinued in late 2023, making way for the foldable iPhone to claim its name.

Microsoft Surface Duo
Interestingly, the iPhone Duo isn’t the first folding mobile device to use the Duo name. Microsoft’s Surface Duo launched in 2020, sidestepping the issues faced by early foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Fold by opting for a visible hinge between its two 5.6-inch OLED screens instead of flexible screen technology. However, software glitches, a lackluster camera, and outdated specs led to its downfall, even with the improved Duo 2 released a year later.

Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo
Trade shows often showcase quirky laptops, and sometimes those prototypes make it to market. The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo is a powerful gaming laptop featuring impressive specs, a hefty price tag, and dual 16-inch OLED screens that can be arranged vertically or side by side.

Asus ZenBook Pro Duo
The ROG Zephyrus Duo wasn’t Asus’ first dual-screen laptop; that honor goes to the ZenBook Pro Duo, which debuted several years earlier with a different design. It featured a primary 15.6-inch OLED screen and a secondary 14-inch display above the keyboard. The smaller screen, with a 32:9 aspect ratio and less color fidelity, was intended for productivity tools like Slack or Gmail, keeping them accessible without distracting from the main display.

Pebble 2 Duo
After persuading Google to open-source the Pebble operating system, Eric Migicovsky, the creator of one of the first successful smartwatches, revived the brand under Core Devices. The Pebble 2 Duo, one of the first smartwatches from this new venture, may not match the capabilities of the Apple Watch or Wear OS devices, but its blend of simplicity, functionality, and affordability makes it an appealing option.

iRobot Roomba Duo
Still in prototype form and uncertain to reach consumers, iRobot showcased the Roomba Duo at IFA 2026 in Berlin. This prototype features a robust mobile dock with clean and dirty water tanks and the most powerful suction the company has ever produced. To ensure thorough cleaning, it includes a deployable garage housing a smaller Roomba Plus 757, designed to navigate tight spaces and under furniture.

Retroid Pocket Duo
Just hours before the iPhone Duo’s reveal, Retroid showcased its latest dual-screen handheld, the Retroid Pocket Duo. This modern take on the Nintendo DS features dual 120Hz OLED screens, with a 16:9 aspect ratio on top and a 4:3 aspect ratio below the controls. While full specs and pricing are still under wraps, the Pocket Duo boasts a symmetrical dual thumbstick layout, two pairs of shoulder buttons, and a headphone jack.