iPhone Duo Costs $1,999 and Ditches Face ID for Touch ID
Apple's first folding phone launches seven years after Samsung entered the market, featuring a new display size and a return of the fingerprint sensor.
By Ishani Kapalli ·
Apple has released the iPhone Duo, its first folding smartphone, at a starting price of $1,999. The device arrives seven years after Samsung introduced the Galaxy Fold, marking Apple's entry into a hardware category it has previously avoided. Early assessments describe the hardware as refined, though the software ecosystem is still adjusting to the new form factor.
The phone features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display. This specific shape and size are new to Apple, creating compatibility challenges for third-party applications. Many apps currently appear as narrow strips centered on the screen with thick black bars on the sides. While Apple has updated its own software, popular services like Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp have received updates for iOS 27.1. Some of these, including Instagram, still show broken interface elements. Apple has also moved navigation elements to the right rail instead of the bottom center.
The Duo marks a design departure by removing Face ID in favor of Touch ID. The sensor is located on the right side of the device, a move attributed to the phone's thinness. This is the first time a flagship iPhone has used fingerprint authentication since the iPhone SE, iPads, and MacBooks retained the feature. The Dynamic Island remains, relocated to the top-right edge around the outer selfie camera. It appears in the same corner on the inner display during live activities.
Accessory compatibility requires attention from users. The phone supports MagSafe, but its uneven weight distribution causes it to tip when attached to car docks or tripods. Third-party manufacturers may need to introduce anti-rotation magnets to solve this. Magnetic wallets attach to the device but extend past the bottom edge due to the Duo's shorter height. Apple has not released an official fix for this issue.
Photography tools have been adapted for the folding form factor. Users can take selfies using the rear cameras while previewing on the outer screen. A control labeled "Slide to show camera" moves the full camera app to the outer display, disabling the inner screen to prevent accidental touches. The device also supports "Duo Preview," which shows the viewfinder to the subject, and "Kids Cue," which plays animations to attract a child's attention.
Multitasking allows users to drag apps to either side of the inner screen for side-by-side operation. Tapping the middle bar locks two apps as a pair, accessible from the Recent apps menu. Apple warns that the matte nano-texture finish on the inner screen is an integral component and should not be removed. A damaged finish costs $19 to replace with warranty or $49 without it, while a cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+. Future updates will add USB-C Apple Pencil support and improved keyboard features.
Source: Wired
