iPhone Duo launches at $1,999 with a return to fingerprint security

Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market arrives seven years after Samsung launched the Galaxy Fold. The new device, named the iPhone Duo, begins shipping today at a price of $1,999.

The hardware represents a major departure from recent iPhone designs. The phone features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inner display. It lacks Face ID, a security feature Apple has used on flagship phones for years. Instead, the Duo relies on Touch ID, with the sensor located on the right side of the device. This marks the first return of fingerprint authentication to a primary iPhone model, though the technology remains standard on the iPhone SE, iPads, and MacBooks.

Software optimization is the most visible challenge for early adopters. Many third-party applications have not yet been adapted to the new screen dimensions. These apps often appear as a narrow vertical strip with thick black bars on the sides. While Apple has updated its own apps for iOS 27.1, issues persist. Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp have received updates, but Instagram still displays broken interface elements in some cases. Apple has also moved navigation controls to the right rail, abandoning the standard bottom-centered layout used on other iPhones.

The device includes a relocated Dynamic Island, positioned at the top-right edge near the outer selfie camera. This element appears in the same corner on the inner display during live activities. The thinness of the device likely drove the decision to use Touch ID rather than the more complex Face ID hardware.

Accessories present new physical challenges. The phone supports MagSafe, but its unfolded shape causes it to tilt when attached to car docks or tripods due to uneven weight distribution. Third-party manufacturers may need to add anti-rotation magnets to fix this. Magnetic wallets also sit awkwardly because the Duo is shorter than standard iPhones, causing them to extend past the bottom edge. Apple has not announced an official solution for this fit issue.

Photography capabilities have been adjusted for the foldable form factor. Users can take selfies using the higher-quality rear cameras while viewing a preview 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 system also includes "Duo Preview," which shows the viewfinder to the subject, and "Kids Cue," which plays Snoopy animations on the outer screen to engage children.

Multitasking allows users to run two apps side by side on the inner display. Dragging an app to either side of the screen enables this split view. Tapping the central bar locks the pair together, making them accessible from the Recent apps menu. Users cannot save these pairs as single icons on the home screen.

The inner display 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 it, noting that 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 in warranty or $49 out of warranty. A cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+.

Software updates are scheduled for later this year. One update will add Reachability, allowing users to shift apps to the left or right instead of pulling them down. Another update will add support for the USB-C Apple Pencil, enabling drawing and writing on the nano-texture screen. The phone has no built-in storage slot for the stylus.