Shadowing Practice: iPhone Duo - My Honest Review !!! - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
185 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
The iPhone Duo works with the Apple Pencil, has crazy water resistance and a nanotexture display, but for $2 ,000 there's no face ID,
2
no zoom camera and no action button.
3
So here's everything good and bad about Apple's new iPhone Duo.
4
Okay, now from my experience, the camera on this bad boy is pretty good.
5
It has two, a 48 megapixel wide and a 48 megapixel ultra wide.
6
And honestly, the pictures are pretty decent.
7
You can definitely get some great shots, but for some people, this could be a big deal -breaker, and it's that there's no telephoto camera,
8
meaning zooming in won't look as good as on most other iPhones.
9
But what really surprised me is there's rumors going around
10
that the Duo's main camera is almost the same as the cheaper 17E's camera.
11
So, I shot some test photos with the Duo, the 17E, and the 18
12
Pro Max to compare, but before I show you the results, let me know if you guys can guess which one is which.
13
As for the selfie camera, I really like that it comes with center stage, just like on the 18
14
Pro Max, but unlike the Pro Max, it's only 12 megapixels and not 18.
15
But honestly, that hasn't mattered as much as I thought
16
because I've been taking most of my selfies using the Duo Preview feature that uses the 48 megapixel main camera anyway,
17
which is way better than the 12 megapixel selfie.
18
And I've also been trying out its new
19
Smart Take feature, which basically automatically snaps a photo the second you strike a pose, which works pretty well actually.
20
But as cool as those new features are, there's a few missing too.
21
Like there's no
22
Pro RAW photos, spatial photos, ProRes videos, Apple Log videos or even variable aperture.
23
Basically no Pro features at all.
24
Also the volume buttons are at the top of the screen above the camera
25
which just isn't the best placement
26
because whenever I change the volume my fingers do tend to touch the cameras and then leave smudges on the lenses.
27
Especially when I take screenshots because this is how you do it now on the Duo.
28
And if you were wondering about that camera bump, how wobbly it would be on a table, it's actually not that bad.
29
It's definitely better than other foldables I've tried.
30
Okay, but now back to that camera test.
31
Here are the results, and as you can see, the Duo is way more like the 18
32
Pro Max compared to the 17e, so I do think the sensor is probably better.
33
But it still sucks that the most expensive iPhone doesn't give you the best cameras.
34
The display, on the other hand, is a totally different story.
35
all right before we get into this crazy inner display here's
36
what you got to know about the outer one first personally
37
i wasn't sure i'd like the new size 5 .4 inches
38
but it has really grown on me it really just makes everything
39
so much more reachable with just my thumb compared to most other phones with their much taller screen
40
so i've really been enjoying it
41
and even though it's small it is still super high res like watching videos on it feels great
42
and same with browsing social media like Instagram, a bit of TikTok or YouTube.
43
I love it.
44
And the vertical bar itself is also very well thought out in my opinion.
45
It makes it a lot easier to navigate around but also harder.
46
But that's only because you can't switch it to the left side.
47
So if you did want to use the duo with your left hand, yeah, you're not going to have the best time.
48
Then speaking of sides, you'll also find it has a fairly raised power button
49
that you obviously use to lock or unlock and it also doubles as the touch ID button too, which is pretty cool.
50
But for me, what is very frustrating is
51
that means there is no face id i mean i've been using face id for years now
52
so not having it anymore is definitely going to take some adjusting
53
and what's kind of even more frustrating is that it takes just
54
that extra beat to unlock it is not instant like you find on some other phones
55
i mean you can even see it loading before it unlocks
56
but one of my favorite features about this outer display is
57
that it works with the apple pencil oh a stylus who wants a stylus
58
I guess you could say it's kind of like a stylus.
59
But so far, the only Apple Pencil that will work on it is the USB -C edition.
60
I did try another pen like this one from ESR, and although it was connected, it didn't work.
61
At least not yet.
62
But the best part is you can use the Apple Pencil on the inner display too.
63
So, when you open up the Duo, you get a relatively large 7 .6 -inch display.
64
And of course, this display is great for a few things.
65
The most obvious one is to use with the Apple Pencil for things like writing inside notes or even drawing and doodling.
66
But, and this will be a pretty big but for some, because the Duo is only compatible with the Apple Pencil USB Edition,
67
it doesn't have pressure sensitivity.
68
So no matter how hard or soft you press, you'll just get the same stroke, which is kind of a bummer.
69
But I mean, there still is so much you can do with the Apple Pencil,
70
but I'll cover that in a bit more detail in my Tips and Tricks video, so make sure you sub to check that out.
71
As for watching videos, though, this display is awesome.
72
It's essentially just as wide as the 18
73
Pro Max, but depending on the video's aspect ratio you're watching, it can be a much better experience.
74
It's also really great for reading, great for typing out mails.
75
It works with most social media apps, but not all apps.. have supported this aspect ratio just yet.
76
The display is also 120 hertz pro motion with a nice crisp high resolution
77
so it is really awesome for things like gaming.
78
But I'm even more impressed by how bright it gets.
79
It's a 3000 nit display
80
so using it outside in direct sunlight is no issue at all especially
81
because of that matte nano texture layer that essentially gets rid of all reflections and makes the crease practically invisible.
82
What's really cool is
83
if you scratch the nano texture display you can get replaced for only 19 bucks
84
but you do have to have apple care
85
but what's not cool is some duo owners have unfolded their phones to hear a crunch
86
then found the inner screen damaged by a crack right along the crease
87
and that is gonna cost luckily not mine also as you can see the inner display has no camera cutouts
88
but that's because instead it has an under display camera
89
which as cool as it is has pretty quality
90
but now for the first time ever you can actually split screen on an iPhone.
91
Now this is the very first iPhone that can multitask using split screen.
92
The way it works is pretty smooth
93
but you can only split screen two apps at a time
94
but honestly I think it's more than enough because when last did you actually split screen anything three ways, right?
95
And because the screen is kind of like having two outer display apps open at the same time,
96
it means that you can't resize the windows either.
97
We're basically stuck to just one size.
98
And this is frustrating, but it's also stuck to one orientation too, landscape only.
99
So you can't split screen in portrait mode for some reason.
100
Like why?
101
But something I really like though is
102
when you are watching a video in let's say YouTube or Netflix and you half fold the screen,
103
it goes into this seated mode where the top of the screen is the video of course
104
and the bottom half shows all the controls.
105
This even works with typing up messages which is really nifty and this is something the Fold 8 can't even do.
106
Overall split screening multitasking is really cool even though it's a bit limited but now let me show you my favorite details.
107
Okay something I am really impressed by is this transition effect between the outer and inner display.
108
It is a small detail I know but it honestly just makes you actually want to open your duo.
109
Not only that, but the new
110
Wi -Fi icon is actually displaying three things, your battery percentage, cellular signal, and Wi -Fi strength.
111
And when you tap on it, it opens the control center and just shows them each in a little more detail.
112
They even thought of cases with a slightly bigger edge.
113
So like this Apple case, when you put it on, it kind of overlaps some of the content.
114
But inside the display settings, there's this option to shift the left edge.
115
And with that little setting, it completely solves the overlapping problem while letting you still protect your pricey phone.
116
Even the measuring app has such a cool little detail.
117
You can use it like you've always been able to but now when you fold it,
118
it actually uses both screens as two separate levels measuring the tilt of each half.
119
Cool.
120
I also really like how apps on the outer display have their tools
121
and toolbar on the right hand side next to your thumb.
122
Same with the inner screen.
123
It just makes navigating around so much more natural.
124
And what's really cool is because of how big this display is, if you partially fold the duo,
125
it goes into this kind of book mode and and just makes things more reachable again.
126
But my absolute favorite detail is what's been done with standby mode.
127
It works by putting the duo in this tent position, or you could have it half opened in this landscape mode.
128
But essentially it's a really cool bedtime clock that shows you your calendar, time, weather.
129
And the best part is it even works without having to be plugged in and charging.
130
Man, I love it.
131
All these features and kind of details really stack up and make the duo feel kind of next level, but is the build next level?
132
So the Duo is now the last remaining iPhone to be made of titanium.
133
Meaning, scratching the frame on this will be really hard, but I've already noticed a scratch somewhere else on mine.
134
It turns out that the ceramic shield on the back of the Duo seems to scratch easier than other materials.
135
I'm almost certain this has something to do with the fact that I wear rings all the time,
136
because I also notice scratches on the back of my 18 Pro Max.
137
And yeah, I'm not happy about that.
138
I haven't noticed scratches on any of my other phones, so if you wear rings and you got this, just be careful.
139
But other than that, its hinge is really strong, but still easy enough to open.
140
And it even has this nice kind of satisfying snap.
141
But what impressed me even more is it's only 5 .2 millimeters.
142
That's even thinner than the already super thin
143
Air, which does just make it really comfy to hold.
144
But not for very long periods of time, because even though it's thin, it's pretty heavy.
145
The heaviest iPhone they've ever made, actually.
146
And yeah, as you can imagine, I'm not the biggest fan of that because there are definitely other foldables out there that are way lighter.
147
But what does make the Duo stand apart is it's IP68 rated for up to six meters.
148
I was very uncomfortable dunking this in a fish tank of water and definitely don't recommend you try this, but I was really impressed.
149
And so your Duo theoretically should survive if you drop it in water.
150
As for the durability of the.. inner display, well, Apple don't really say.
151
And that's either because they're that confident in it or because you'll probably never fold and unfold it 200 ,000 times, which is what
152
Samsung folds are rated for.
153
Wow.
154
And believe it or not, even though it's this thin, it still has MagSafe, so you can use accessories or even wireless chargers.
155
The only problem is if you ever wanted to use MagSafe while looking at the inner display, it does tend to droop like this,
156
unless you have a decent charger with proper magnets like this one from ESR.
157
Then there's no drooping at all.
158
Just good to know.
159
And let's not forget, it also has two stereo speakers for that kind of surround sound feeling, which I personally think sounds great.
160
What it doesn't have though is an action button.
161
And I don't know about you guys, but I would have preferred that over the camera control, which I literally only used to open the camera.
162
And there's also no SIM card slot.
163
The Duo is eSIM only, so whoever your provider is, just make sure they support eSIMs.
164
As for the battery though, well, I think it's going to surprise you.
165
Alright, so because this is the most expensive iPhone, you'd expect it to have the best batteries, right?
166
Because, I mean, it has the most powerful iPhone chip.
167
And this chip makes everything, like multitasking, editing, or even gaming, feel super snappy.
168
But, turns out, the Duo's battery is actually smaller than the 18 Pro Max.
169
That doesn't necessarily mean it's worse though, because surprisingly, I got around just as much battery life from it as the 18 Pro Max.
170
And as for charging, there's no disappointment there either.
171
It's actually just as fast as the newer iPhones, so 0 -50 % in just 20 minutes using wired charging.
172
And then of course there's also wireless charging using Qi2 with 25 watts, so it's pretty quick.
173
But is all of this worth it for the price?
174
now as i'm sure you guys know you can get the duo for $1 ,999
175
but the crazy part is for
176
that price you can easily get the 18 pro max with better cameras
177
and the latest ipad mini so
178
that begs the question is the extra amount you're paying for to get an iphone
179
and an ipad to fit in your pocket worth it well
180
if you care about a folding iphone display with nano texture smart take that duo preview camera,
181
multitasking, seated controls, and Apple Pencil support on an iPhone, then yes, it's worth it.
182
But if you don't care about any of that, then maybe this phone is not for you.
183
I'd love to hear what you guys think of the duo, so let me know down in the comments,
184
but also make sure you subscribe so you don't miss my tips and tricks on it.
185
Toodles!
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Same Channel
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
B21
201 sentences
What they got right! iPhone Duo
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
30 sentences
Apple iPhone 7 Pro MAX/Air series - Finally, the WAIT is OVER! 🚀
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
234 sentences
iPhone 18 Pro vs Osmo Pocket 4P - Watch Before you Buy!!
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
61 sentences
Dreame L60 Pro Ultra Review — Almost Everything Right!
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
200 sentences
iPhone Duo Problem is Getting Worse
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
230 sentences
Anker soundcore SPACE 2 Pro \ BEST HEADPHONES FOR CALLS HANDS DOWN🔥
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
292 sentences
NEW Natasha Denona Tan Palette 👀 who needs this?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
160 sentences
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL got… Worse?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
284 sentences
The NEW Lenovo Idea Tab In-Depth Review: Is This the Budget Tablet to Buy?
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
397 sentences
Ils ont mis un PROJECTEUR dans un téléphone !
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
30 sentences
Hello, MacBook Neo
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
35 sentences
Introducing the new iPhone Duo
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “iPhone Duo - My Honest Review !!!”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: duo, display, camera, iphone, screen. This video has 185 sentences and 2496 words to shadow. The speech runs for 12:26. The speaker talks fast, about 201 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 84% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| pencil noun | /ˈpɛnsəl/ | A writing utensil with a graphite (commonly referred to as lead) shaft, usually blended with clay, clad in wood, and sharpened to a taper. |
| fold verb | /ˈfəʊld/ | To bend (any thin material, such as paper) over so that it comes in contact with itself. |
| scratch verb | /skɹæt͡ʃ/ | To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc. |
| thin adjective | /ˈθɪn/ | Having little thickness or extent from one surface to its opposite. |
| impress verb | /ɪmˈpɹɛs/ | To affect (someone) strongly and often favourably. |
| essentially adverb | /ɪˈsɛnʃəli/ | In essence: by nature. |
| texture noun | /ˈtɛkst͡ʃə(ɹ)/ | The feel or shape of a surface or substance; the smoothness, roughness, softness, etc. of something. |
| unlock verb | /ʌnˈlɑk/ | To undo or open a lock or something locked by, for example, turning a key, or selecting a combination. |
| selfie noun | /ˈsɛlfi/ | A photographic self-portrait, especially one taken manually (not using a timer, tripod etc.) with a small camera or mobile phone. |
| trick noun | /ˈtɹɪk/ | Something designed to fool, dupe, outsmart, mislead or swindle. |
| aspect noun | /ˈæspɛkt/ | Any specific feature, part, or element of something. |
| decent adjective | /ˈdiː.sənt/ | Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances. |
| ratio noun | /ˈɹeɪ.ʃoʊ/ | A number representing a comparison between two named things. |
| landscape noun | /ˈlan(d)skeɪp/ | A portion of land or territory as defined by its landform, its geographical (and architectural) features. |
| chip noun | /t͡ʃɪp/ | A small piece broken from a larger piece of solid material. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| turn out verb | To end up; to result. |
| get around verb | To move to the other side of (something, such as an obstruction) by deviating from a direct course or following a curved path. |
| go around verb | To move or spread from person to person. |
| open up verb | To open. |
| stand apart verb | (intransitive, To distinguish oneselves) |
| try out verb | To test (something) to see how it works or whether it is suitable. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on | I've been taking · I've also been trying · i've really been enjoying |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | hasn't mattered · I've tried · has really grown |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | was connected · been done · be plugged |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | too, which is · stroke, which is · messages which is |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 45 contractions and reduced forms, such as I've, don't, I'm. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: thin /ˈθɪn/, thumb /ˈθʌm/, smooth /smuːð/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: essentially /ɪˈsɛnʃəli/, ratio /ˈɹeɪ.ʃoʊ/, transition /tɹænˈzɪʃ.ən/, shield /ˈʃild/, partially /ˈpɑɹʃəli/
- Long words — get the stress right: essentially /ɪˈsɛnʃəli/, necessarily /ˌnɛs.əˈsɛɹ.ə.li/, practically /ˈpɹæk.tɪ.k(ə.)li/, uncomfortable /ʌnˈkʌm.fɚ.tə.bl̩/, invisible /ɪnˈvɪzəb(ə)l/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like pencil, fold, scratch.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.