iPhone Duo Launch: Apple's foldable costs $1,999 with software gaps
The company's first folding smartphone features Touch ID and a matte inner screen that cannot be protected by third-party film.
By Alina Carter ·
Apple has released the iPhone Duo, the company's first folding smartphone, at a price of $1,999. The device launched on October 23, 2026, seven years after Samsung introduced the Galaxy Fold. Early assessments suggest the hardware has been refined during that gap, but the software ecosystem has not yet caught up to the new form factor.
The immediate challenge for buyers is app compatibility. The Duo features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display. Because this aspect ratio is new to Apple, many third-party applications display as a narrow strip with thick black bars on the sides. Apple has updated its own apps, but popular services like Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp show interface glitches in iOS 27.1. The company has also moved navigation elements to the right rail, a change that may require developers to adjust their layouts.
The hardware marks a distinct departure from recent iPhone designs. The device does not use Face ID. Instead, it relies on Touch ID, with the sensor located on the right side of the frame. This is the first time the fingerprint sensor has returned to a flagship iPhone, though it has remained on the iPhone SE, iPads, and MacBooks. The Dynamic Island is present but relocated to the top-right edge around the outer selfie camera.
Physical accessories require adjustment. The phone supports MagSafe, but its uneven weight distribution causes it to tip when unfolded on car docks or tripods. Third-party magnetic wallets stick out past the bottom edge because the Duo is shorter than standard iPhones. Apple has not provided an official fix for the wallet overhang.
Camera functionality offers new options. Users can take selfies using the superior rear cameras while previewing the shot 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 device also includes "Duo Preview" for the subject to see the viewfinder and "Kids Cue," which plays Snoopy animations to attract a child's attention.
Apple warns users to be careful with the inner display. The matte nano-texture finish is described as an integral component. The company's support page states, "Don't attempt to remove it." A damaged finish costs $19 to replace in warranty or $49 out of warranty. A cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+.
Several software updates are scheduled for later this year. These updates will add Reachability, which shifts apps to the side rather than pulling them down, and support for the USB-C Apple Pencil. The keyboard can already be split for easier typing on the wide inner display. There is no built-in storage for the stylus.
The iPhone Duo is currently back-ordered for several weeks. Developers are expected to optimize their apps during this period, potentially resolving many of the interface issues before the device reaches many buyers' hands.
