Apple prices the iPhone Duo at $1,999 as it returns to Touch ID

Apple has finally entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo, setting a premium price point of $1,999 for the device. The company waited seven years after Samsung pioneered the category to bring its own hardware to market, betting that the extra development time would result in a polished product. Early assessments suggest the wait has yielded a solid device, though the high cost demands that buyers understand the specific software and hardware compromises involved.

The most significant market challenge currently facing the iPhone Duo lies in third-party software compatibility. The device features a unique form factor with a 5.4-inch external display and a 7.6-inch internal screen that folds in half. This new shape has left many existing applications unoptimized, causing them to appear as narrow vertical strips with large black bars on the sides. While Apple has redesigned its own applications to fit the layout, major third-party services like Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp have received updates for iOS 27.1. However, some of these apps still exhibit broken interface elements. Apple has also shifted navigation controls to a right-hand rail rather than the traditional bottom center, a change that developers are still adjusting to.

The return of Touch ID represents a major departure from recent Apple flagship design strategies. The iPhone Duo lacks Face ID, with the sensor instead integrated into the right side of the device. This move is likely driven by the physical thinness of the folding hardware. It marks the first time this biometric feature has appeared on a flagship model since it was retained on the iPhone SE, iPads, and MacBooks. The Dynamic Island remains, though it has been relocated to the top right corner near the outer camera. Consumer preferences will now be split between those who favor the speed of facial recognition and those who prefer the simplicity of a fingerprint sensor.

Accessory compatibility presents another friction point for potential buyers. The iPhone Duo supports MagSafe, but the uneven weight distribution when the device is unfolded causes it to tilt when attached to car mounts or tripods. Third-party manufacturers may need to create new anti-rotation magnets to solve this. Additionally, because the phone is shorter than standard iPhones, magnetic wallets extend past the bottom edge, a design quirk Apple has not yet addressed with an official solution.

Photography capabilities offer a distinct advantage for the new device. Users can utilize the higher quality rear cameras for selfies by previewing the image on the outer screen. A control labeled 'Slide to show camera' moves the full camera interface to the outer display, disabling the inner screen to prevent accidental inputs. The system also includes a 'Duo Preview' feature that allows the subject to see the viewfinder, and a 'Kids Cue' option that displays animated characters on the outer screen to engage children.

Multitasking is handled by dragging applications from the bottom of the screen to either side of the inner display, allowing two apps to run side by side. Users can lock these pairs together by tapping the center bar, which glows white and saves the combination to the Recent apps menu, although the pair cannot be saved as a single icon. Apple advises users to be careful with the inner display, noting that the matte nano-texture finish is an integral part of the hardware. Removing this layer can void the warranty, and Apple does not guarantee performance with third-party screen protectors.

Repair costs for the specialized display are significant. A damaged finish can be replaced at an Apple Store or authorized provider for $19 if under warranty, or $49 out of warranty. A cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+. To improve usability, the keyboard can currently be split for easier typing on the wide screen. A software update later this year will add Reachability, which shifts apps to the side rather than the bottom, and support for the USB-C Apple Pencil. The latter will allow for paper-like drawing experiences, though the device lacks a built-in storage slot for the stylus.