Apple's $1,999 Folding iPhone Duo Sets New Standards and New Challenges
The long-awaited foldable device arrives with premium hardware, significant software adjustments, and a price point that demands careful consideration from buyers.
By Sakura Novak ·
Apple has finally entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo, a device that arrives seven years after Samsung pioneered the category. The new handset is priced at $1,999 and has been in development for several years, with early assessments suggesting that the extended refinement period has resulted in a highly capable device. Despite the high cost, the phone introduces significant design changes and software quirks that consumers should understand before making a purchase.
The most immediate challenge for users lies in the software ecosystem. The device features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display, a format that many applications have not yet fully optimized. While Apple's own apps are redesigned to fit the new layout, numerous third-party applications still appear as narrow strips with thick black bars on the sides. Although popular apps like Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp have received updates for iOS 27.1, some still exhibit broken interface elements. The device is currently back-ordered for several weeks, which may allow developers time to resolve these issues before units reach many customers.
The iPhone Duo also marks a significant departure from recent design trends by omitting Face ID in favor of Touch ID. The sensor is located on the right side of the device, a move likely driven by the need for a thinner profile. This is the first time Touch ID has appeared on a flagship iPhone since the iPhone SE, iPads, and MacBooks retained the feature. The Dynamic Island remains but has been relocated to the top-right edge near the outer selfie camera, appearing in the same corner on the inner display during live activities.
Hardware accessories require careful attention due to the device's unique physical properties. While the phone supports MagSafe, its weight distribution causes it to tip when unfolded and attached to car docks or tripods. Third-party manufacturers may need to introduce anti-rotation magnets to fix this. Additionally, magnetic wallets do not fit perfectly because the phone is shorter than previous models, leaving them sticking out past the bottom edge without an official Apple solution.
Photography capabilities have been enhanced to leverage the folding form factor. Users can take selfies using the superior rear cameras while viewing the preview on the outer screen. A dedicated control allows the full camera app to move to the outer display, disabling the inner screen to prevent accidental inputs. Other features include Duo Preview, which shows the viewfinder to the subject, and Kids Cue, which uses Snoopy animations to attract a child's attention.
Multitasking and display care require specific user behaviors. Two apps can run side by side on the inner screen, and they can be locked as a pair via a glowing middle bar, though they cannot be saved as a single icon. The inner screen features a matte nano-texture finish that Apple describes as integral to the device. Users are warned not to remove this finish, as doing so could void the warranty. A damaged finish costs $19 to replace in warranty or $49 out of warranty, while a cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+.
Future software updates will improve usability further. A later update this year will add Reachability, allowing users to shift apps left or right rather than pulling them down. Another update will introduce support for the USB-C Apple Pencil, enabling a paper-like writing experience on the textured screen, although there is no storage slot for the stylus on the device.
