Apple Introduces $1,999 iPhone Duo With Touch ID and Software Gaps

Apple released its first folding smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on Thursday at a starting price of $1,999. The device marks a seven-year gap since Samsung introduced the Galaxy Fold, a delay that Wired attributes to Apple refining the hardware out of public view. The company describes the device as a "pretty dang good foldable," though early users face specific software and accessory challenges before the hardware feels fully complete.

Software compatibility presents the most immediate hurdle. The Duo features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display, a configuration that has not been widely tested by developers. While Apple’s own redesigned applications function correctly, many third-party apps display as narrow vertical strips with thick black bars on the sides. Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp have received updates for iOS 27.1, but Instagram and others still show broken interface elements. Apple moved navigation controls to the right rail, and developers may finish updates by the time the back-ordered devices ship to customers.

The device abandons Face ID for the first time on a flagship iPhone, replacing it with a Touch ID sensor on the right side. Wired suggests the thinness of the device drove this decision. The Dynamic Island remains, relocated to the top-right edge around the outer selfie camera, and appears in the same corner on the inner display during live activities. This shift returns fingerprint security to the main iPhone line, a feature that has previously remained on the iPhone SE, iPads, and MacBooks.

Hardware accessories require adjustment. Although the Duo supports MagSafe, the uneven weight distribution causes the phone to tip when unfolded and attached to car docks or tripods. Third-party makers may need to implement anti-rotation magnets to fix this. Magnetic wallets also present an issue; because the Duo is shorter than standard iPhones, the wallets extend past the bottom edge, and Apple offers no official accessory to correct the fit.

Camera and multitasking tools offer new utilities. Users can take selfies using the rear cameras while previewing the image on the outer screen. A "Slide to show camera" control moves the full camera app to the outer display, disabling the inner screen to prevent accidental touches. For multitasking, dragging an app to the side creates a split-screen view, and tapping the middle bar locks the two apps as a pair in the Recent apps menu.

Repair costs and future updates define the long-term ownership experience. Apple states that the matte nano-texture finish on the inner screen is an "integral" component that should not be removed. A damaged finish costs $19 with AppleCare+ or $49 without it, while a cracked inner display costs $999 without coverage. A software update later this year will add Reachability and support for the USB-C Apple Pencil, which Apple says will enhance writing on the textured surface.