In a weekend experiment showcasing cross-ecosystem inspiration, a user has replicated Apple’s new iPhone Duo unfolding animation on a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. Released less than a day after Apple’s Duo debut, the custom animation captures the UX moment from Apple’s reveal with striking fidelity.
What exactly was replicated?
The iPhone Duo, unlike traditional tall foldables, adopts a passport-style, shorter-yet-wider form. Alongside its hardware launch, Apple introduced an animation where the screen content—apps and the home screen—remain anchored in place while the device itself seems to rotate around the software as it unfolds. There’s also a lap of cool blue lighting and a “liquid glass” effect, with app icons falling into focus as the Duo expands. That sleek opening moment has already been ported over to the Fold 8.
How it was done—and its limits
On the Fold 8, the recreated animation hinges on using hinge extension values tied to animation frames. As the hinge moves, the animation mirrors that speed and orientation. But it’s not a deep system integration—it uses two static screenshots plus blur effects, meaning it can’t run as part of the system UI. In other words, while it looks legit, it’s more of a visual trick than a built-in feature.
The effort has sparked excitement across forums. Many users are calling for a feature like this to become official—perhaps as part of Samsung’s GoodLock suite or similar UX mod tools. The general consensus is that Apple’s animation sets a new standard for polish. Android foldable fans are clearly eager for Samsung to respond with refined animations and transitions that feel just as intentional.
While Apple’s entry into the compact foldable space is reminiscent of Samsung’s more traditional tall-form Fold series, the Duo digs into a different design philosophy. By keeping its width greater and height lower, it addresses usability concerns around pocketability and compact convenience. The animated open transition amplifies that identity.
What to watch: whether this user experiment remains a novelty, or if Samsung takes note. If Apple’s approach shifts expectations around how foldables should animate, competitors could feel pressured to raise the bar. Samsung, known for foldable hardware lead, might now find itself playing catch-up in UX polish.
