iPhone Duo Launch: $1,999 Foldable Ships With Touch ID and App Gaps

Apple’s iPhone Duo is now available for purchase at a price of $1,999. The device marks Apple’s entry into the folding smartphone market, a category Samsung established seven years ago with the Galaxy Fold. Buyers who order the phone today will likely wait several weeks for delivery because the unit is currently back-ordered.

The most immediate change for new owners is the return of Touch ID. The iPhone Duo does not use Face ID, the facial recognition system found on recent flagships. Instead, it features a fingerprint sensor located on the right side of the device. Apple has not provided a definitive explanation for this shift, but the thinness of the phone is the likely reason. This is the first time Touch ID has appeared on a flagship iPhone, though it remains standard on the iPhone SE, iPads, and MacBooks. The Dynamic Island still functions, but it is now positioned at the top-right edge near the outer selfie camera.

Software optimization remains a primary concern at launch. The phone features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display, a configuration that many applications do not yet support. While Apple’s own apps are redesigned for the new layout, numerous third-party programs appear as a narrow strip in the center of the screen with thick black bars on either side. Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp have received updates for iOS 27.1. However, even some of these updated apps, including Instagram, still display broken interface elements. Apple has also moved navigation controls to the right rail of the screen rather than centering them at the bottom.

Hardware accessories require adjustment for the new form factor. The device supports MagSafe, but it tips to one side when unfolded and attached to car docks or tripods due to uneven weight distribution. Third-party manufacturers may need to create anti-rotation magnets to fix this issue. Magnetic wallets attach to the back, but because the iPhone Duo is shorter than previous models, they extend past the bottom edge. Apple has not provided an official solution for this gap.

Photography tools offer new workflows for users. The phone allows users to take selfies using the rear cameras while previewing the image on the outer screen. A control labeled "Slide to show camera" moves the full camera app to the outer display, including modes and Photographic Styles. This function disables the inner screen to prevent accidental touches. A separate feature called Duo Preview allows the subject to see the viewfinder, while Kids Cue plays Snoopy animations to attract a child’s attention.

Multitasking functionality includes the ability to run two apps side by side on the inner screen. Users can drag an app from the bottom to either side to achieve this layout. Tapping the middle bar locks the two applications as a pair, which can then be accessed from the Recent apps menu. The pair cannot be saved as a single icon on the home screen.

Apple advises caution when protecting the inner display. The screen features a matte nano-texture finish that Apple describes as an integral component. The company’s support page warns users not to attempt to remove this layer, as doing so could void the warranty. Apple does not address third-party screen protectors, which may impact display performance. A damaged finish costs $19 to replace with AppleCare+ or $19 out of warranty. A cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+.

Future software updates will add several conveniences. A keyboard split function is already available to improve typing on the wide screen. A later update this year will add Reachability, which shifts apps to the side instead of pulling them down. Another update will add support for the USB-C Apple Pencil. This specific model should make writing and drawing feel paper-like on the nano-texture screen, though the phone has no built-in storage for the stylus.