Apple iPhone Duo enters market at $1,999 with Touch ID and software gaps

The iPhone Duo is now available.

Apple launched its first folding smartphone on Thursday, pricing the device at $1,999. The release follows seven years since Samsung introduced the Galaxy Fold, a gap Apple spent refining the hardware. Wired, which reviewed the unit early, described the result as a "pretty dang good foldable." The device features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display, a configuration new to the iPhone lineup.

Software compatibility presents the most immediate challenge for buyers. Many third-party applications have not been optimized for the new screen dimensions, causing them to appear as narrow strips with thick black bars on the sides. Apple has updated its own apps, but even updated third-party services like Instagram, Slack, DoorDash, and WhatsApp show broken interface elements in iOS 27.1. Apple moved navigation controls to the right rail rather than the bottom center. Because the phone is back-ordered for several weeks, developers may update their apps before many customers receive their devices.

The Duo marks a hardware departure by replacing Face ID with Touch ID. The sensor is located on the right side of the device, a change likely driven by the phone's thinness. It is the first flagship iPhone to use this fingerprint technology, which has previously remained on the iPhone SE, iPads, and MacBooks. The Dynamic Island has been relocated to the top-right edge of the outer display and appears in the same corner on the inner screen during live activities.

Accessories require adjustment for the new shape. The phone supports MagSafe, but it tips to one side when unfolded and attached to car docks or tripods due to uneven weight. Third-party makers may need to add anti-rotation magnets to fix this. Magnetic wallets attach but stick out past the bottom edge because the Duo is shorter than other iPhones. Apple offers no official solution for the wallet overhang.

The camera system allows users to take selfies using the rear lenses while previewing on the outer screen. A "Slide to show camera" control moves the full camera app to the outer display, including modes and Photographic Styles. This feature is distinct from "Duo Preview," which shows the viewfinder to the subject, and "Kids Cue," which uses Snoopy animations to attract a child's attention. For multitasking, users can drag an app to the side of the inner screen to run two apps side by side. Tapping the middle bar locks the pair, though the pair cannot be saved as a single icon.

Apple warns users to treat the matte nano-texture finish on the inner display with care. The company states the finish is an "integral" component and advises against removing it, as doing so could void the warranty. A damaged finish costs $19 in warranty or $49 out of warranty. A cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+. A software update later this year will add Reachability and support for the USB-C Apple Pencil, which will allow writing on the textured screen. The phone does not have a storage slot for the stylus.