Apple Launches Foldable iPhone: $1,999 Price Tag and New Touch ID Sensor
The iPhone Duo arrives seven years after competitors, offering a 7.6-inch inner screen but facing early software glitches and a higher repair cost.
By Kevin Sanders ·
Apple has released the iPhone Duo, its first folding smartphone, at a price of $1,999. The device arrives seven years after Samsung introduced the category with the Galaxy Fold. Early reviews describe the hardware as a "pretty dang good foldable" that benefits from the extended development period.
The primary challenge for early adopters is software compatibility. The Duo features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display. Many third-party apps have not yet been optimized for this new aspect ratio. Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp have received updates for iOS 27.1. However, some of these apps, including Instagram, still display broken interface elements. Apple has also moved navigation controls to the right side of the screen rather than the bottom center.
The device marks a design shift by removing Face ID. Apple has replaced it with Touch ID, placing the sensor on the right side of the phone. This is the first time a flagship iPhone has used Touch ID, though the technology remains on the iPhone SE and MacBooks. The Dynamic Island has been relocated to the top-right edge of the outer display.
Accessories require adjustment for the new form factor. The phone supports MagSafe, but it tips to one side when unfolded and attached to a car dock due to uneven weight. Third-party manufacturers may need to add anti-rotation magnets to fix this issue. Magnetic wallets can attach to the back, but they extend past the bottom edge because the Duo is shorter than standard iPhones.
Photography capabilities offer a new workflow. Users can use the rear cameras for selfies while previewing the image on the outer screen. A control labeled "Slide to show camera" moves the full camera app to the outer display. This feature disables the inner screen to prevent accidental touches. Separate features called "Duo Preview" and "Kids Cue" allow subjects to see the viewfinder or attract a child's attention with Snoopy animations.
Multitasking allows users to run two apps side by side on the inner screen. Dragging an app to the bottom edge triggers this mode. Tapping the middle bar locks the pair of apps together, making them accessible from the Recent apps menu. Apple does not currently allow users to save these pairs as a single icon.
Care is required for the inner display. Apple states that the matte nano-texture finish is an integral component of the screen. The company warns users not to attempt to remove it, as doing so may void the warranty. A damaged finish costs $19 to replace in warranty or $49 out of warranty. A cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+.
Future software updates will add more features. A keyboard split function is already available to ease typing on the wide display. Later this year, an update will add Reachability, which shifts apps to the sides instead of the bottom. Another update will add support for the USB-C Apple Pencil. The phone does not have a built-in storage slot for the stylus.
Source: Wired
