Samsung faces backlash after some of Apple's iPhone Duo tricks get ported over to the Galaxy Z Fold

Theoretically possible on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 as well

A few hours later, developer u/moomanjohnny demonstrated on Reddit that this type of visually appealing transition between the two displays is, also possible on what is likely the iPhone Duo's biggest competitor. Reddit has since deleted the video below, but it can still be found widely on social media. For now, however, this remains a purely theoretical experiment, as Galaxy Z Fold8 users cannot benefit from it without root access due to a lack of system permissions for this animation.
 

Apple's animation might be the next Dynamic Island

This is not the first time an Apple invention might eventually make its way to the competition. The Dynamic Island already demonstrated how much influence Apple's software tricks have on the rest of the smartphone industry. It was first introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro and has appeared on every new iPhone since 2022, with the exception of the cheaper "e models." This visually very appealing workaround for the pill-shaped display cutout housing the Face ID sensors was subsequently copied by many manufacturers. However, due to the much more fragmented Android ecosystem, the various copies have proven to be far less consistent, particularly with third-party apps.
 

More iPhone Duo tricks are being ported to Android

It does not take a crystal ball to predict that the iPhone Duo animation will soon appear on other foldables as well. Manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor, and Huawei will have to integrate it at the system level though. But there are other software tricks that knowledgeable foldable users are currently experimenting with, such as the iPhone Duo's bedside clock feature shown in Apple's promo videos and during the presentation. Another Reddit user has already laid the groundwork for this on their Galaxy Z Fold7, while this particular feature is apparently also available on Motorola's Razr Fold, as commenters emphasize on Reddit.
 

Samsung faces criticism over lack of software innovation

Apparently it may have taken Apple' entry into the ring to make people realize that their foldables could be way more exciting in daily life. Apple's mass-appealing software tricks also reflect poorly on the innovators that launched the first foldables in 2019: Huawei and Samsung. The South Korean company in particular still holds the largest foldable market share at the moment, but so far it has focused primarily on advancing the hardware—and only truly began doing so after Chinese manufacturers applied considerable pressure with increasingly thinner foldables. 

As always when Samsung faces criticism, leaker Ice Universe is at the forefront of the backlash. In a post on X, he accuses Samsung of never really caring about how foldables could be made more appealing in everyday life. Stylish animations may be little more than visual gimmicks, but they show that Apple is paying greater attention to how people embrace the new form factor. Of course, one does not have to agree with the harsh criticism directed at Samsung's management. Nevertheless, Apple's entry into the foldable sector clearly shows that its Android competitors have some catching up to do. Whether the reverse is also true will become clear once the first real-world iPhone Duo experiences emerge.