Apple’s latest release, the iPhone Duo, joins a long line of devices bearing the same name. From NEC’s TurboDuo, a gaming console that aimed to merge two worlds, to Google’s Duo, a once-popular VoIP service, the name has a rich history. The iPhone Duo’s foldable screen, with its custom nano-texture display, might just be the most anticipated yet. But is it enough to overshadow the Duos past?

Apple’s PowerBook Duo, a 1992 ultraportable, set the stage for future portables. Its innovative approach to design foreshadowed the minimalist ethos of today’s tech. The MagSafe Duo charger, which could simultaneously charge an iPhone and an Apple Watch, was a brief interlude in the saga of Duos, only to be eclipsed by the foldable iPhone.

The Surface Duo from Microsoft, launched in 2020, was an early attempt at a foldable device, though it faced challenges. Its hinge design contrasted with the more seamless approach seen in the iPhone Duo. Asus’ ROG Zephyrus Duo and ZenBook Pro Duo, with their dual screens, and the Pebble 2 Duo, a smartwatch with a twist, all contribute to the ongoing narrative of Duos in tech. Each device, in its own way, has left its mark.

As the world watches the iPhone Duo, one can’t help but wonder if history will repeat itself. Will the latest Duo be remembered for its innovation, or will it be overshadowed by the legacy of its predecessors? Only time will tell.