Apple unveiled its new iPhone Duo this week at a media event in Cupertino, Calif., giving journalists their first hands-on experience with the folding device before its October release. The event showcased the phone's unique design and allowed reporters to test it for about 45 minutes.

Brian X. Chen, lead consumer technology writer for The New York Times; Brenda Stolyar, smartphone reporter for Wirecutter; and Caitlin Mc Garry, Wirecutter tech editor, attended the event and discussed their review processes. Chen explained that product unveiling events, pioneered by Steve Jobs, provide crucial early insights into whether new technology will become a trend or fad.

Chen focuses on big-picture themes rather than traditional feature evaluations, asking whether technologies solve real-world problems. In contrast, Mc Garry emphasized that Wirecutter readers seek practical buying recommendations for durable, cost-effective products. The team tested the actual iPhone Duo device, though some launch events may only provide demo versions behind glass.