Apple's iPhone Duo ships at $1,999 with side-mounted Touch ID
The new folding phone arrives with unoptimized third-party apps and a matte screen that Apple warns against covering with protectors.
By Hana Gray ·
Apple began shipping the iPhone Duo on Thursday, seven years after Samsung introduced the foldable category. The device costs $1,999 and features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inner display. Wired describes the hardware as a "pretty dang good foldable" after Apple refined the design in the background.
The new form factor presents immediate software challenges. Many third-party apps are not yet optimized for the split layout. They appear as a narrow vertical strip centered on the screen with thick black bars on the sides. Apple moved navigation elements to the right rail instead of the bottom center. Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp received updates for iOS 27.1, but some, including Instagram, still show broken interface elements. The Duo is back-ordered for several weeks, which may allow developers to finish updates before buyers receive the device.
The iPhone Duo replaces Face ID with a Touch ID sensor on the right side. This is the first time a flagship iPhone has used fingerprint security, though the technology remained on the iPhone SE, iPads, and MacBooks. Wired suggests the device's thin profile drove the design choice. The Dynamic Island remains but has moved to the top-right corner near the outer selfie camera. It appears in the same location on the inner display during live activities.
Hardware accessories require adjustment. The phone supports MagSafe, but its uneven weight distribution causes it to tip when unfolded on car docks or tripods. Third-party makers may need to add anti-rotation magnets to their gear. Magnetic wallets attach to the back but extend past the bottom edge because the Duo is shorter than standard iPhones. Apple has not released an official accessory to fix this overhang.
The camera system offers a new selfie workflow. Users can take photos using the rear cameras while viewing the preview on the outer screen. A "Slide to show camera" control moves the full camera interface to the outer display and disables the inner screen to prevent accidental touches. The device also includes "Duo Preview," which shows the viewfinder to the subject, and "Kids Cue," which plays Snoopy animations to attract children's attention.
Multitasking allows users to drag an app to either side of the inner screen to run two apps side by side. Tapping the middle bar locks the pair for quick access from the Recent apps menu, though users cannot save the pair as a single icon.
Apple advises caution with the inner display. The matte nano-texture finish is an "integral" component, and the company's support page warns users not to remove it. Doing so may void the warranty, and Apple does not address how third-party screen protectors affect display performance. A damaged finish costs $19 to replace in warranty and $49 out of warranty. A cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+.
Software updates are scheduled for later this year. A keyboard split feature is already available for typing on the wide display. An upcoming update will add Reachability, which shifts apps left or right instead of pulling them down. Another update will add support for the USB-C Apple Pencil, allowing for paper-like writing on the textured screen. The phone has no built-in storage space for the stylus.
Source: Wired
