Apple iPhone Duo: A $1,999 Foldable With Touch ID and New Software Challenges
The long-awaited folding iPhone finally launches, bringing a return to fingerprint security and a high price tag for early adopters.
By Wei Zhang ·
Apple has finally entered the folding smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo, a device that arrives seven years after Samsung introduced the category. For many working families and tech enthusiasts, the arrival of this flagship means a new option in the premium phone space, though the $1,999 price tag suggests it is aimed at a specific segment of buyers who want the latest hardware.
The hardware specifications are significant. The phone features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display. This new form factor has led to early software issues, as many third-party applications have not yet been optimized for the larger canvas. While Apple's own redesigned apps look correct, numerous other apps appear as a narrow strip down the center with thick black bars on either side. Although popular services like Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp have been updated for iOS 27.1, some still show broken interface elements. Apple has also moved navigation controls to the right side of the screen rather than the bottom center.
A major design shift is the removal of Face ID. Instead, the iPhone Duo uses Touch ID, with the sensor located on the right side of the device. This marks the first time a fingerprint sensor has returned to a flagship iPhone since its previous appearances on the SE, iPads, and MacBooks. The Dynamic Island feature remains but has been relocated to the top-right edge near the outer selfie camera. Users who preferred the speed of facial authentication may need to adjust, while those who disliked it may find the fingerprint reader more convenient.
Photography offers a unique advantage. Users can take selfies using the superior rear cameras while previewing the image on the outer screen. A dedicated control allows the full camera app to move to the outer display, disabling the inner screen to prevent accidental touches. The device also includes features like Duo Preview, which lets the subject see the viewfinder, and Kids Cue, which displays Snoopy animations to attract a child's attention.
Multitasking has been reimagined for the wider inner screen. Users can drag an app to either side to run two applications side by side. Tapping the middle bar locks the two apps as a pair for quick access, though they cannot be saved as a single icon. However, accessories may require attention. While the phone supports MagSafe, it tips to one side when unfolded and attached to a car dock due to uneven weight. Magnetic wallets also stick out past the bottom edge because the Duo is shorter than standard iPhones.
Care for the inner display is crucial. The matte nano-texture finish is an integral component that Apple warns against removing. If damaged, the finish can be replaced for $19 in warranty or $49 out of warranty. A cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+. Future software updates later this year will add Reachability and support for the USB-C Apple Pencil, which will not have a storage slot on the phone itself.
The iPhone Duo is currently back-ordered for several weeks, giving developers time to catch up on app optimizations. For buyers, the device offers a compelling mix of new features and familiar Apple design, albeit at a significant cost.
Source: Wired
