Apple Duo launches at $1,999

Apple has finally entered the foldable smartphone market, introducing the iPhone Duo with a price tag of $1,999. The device arrives seven years after Samsung launched the Galaxy Fold, marking a significant delay in Apple’s adoption of the form factor.

The new phone features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display. This new size and shape have created software challenges for many third-party applications. While Apple’s own apps are optimized for the layout, popular services like Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp have received updates for iOS 27.1. However, some of these apps still display broken interface elements. Many other apps appear as a narrow vertical strip with thick black bars on either side.

Apple has also reorganized navigation elements, moving them to a right-side rail instead of the traditional bottom center. Because the iPhone Duo is currently back-ordered for several weeks, developers have time to adjust their apps before many customers receive their devices.

The hardware design includes a notable departure from recent iPhone standards: the absence of Face ID. Apple has replaced it with Touch ID, locating the sensor on the right side of the device. This is the first time a flagship iPhone has used this fingerprint technology, though it remains standard on the iPhone SE, iPads, and MacBooks. The Dynamic Island remains but has moved to the top-right corner around the outer camera.

Accessories present some initial challenges. The phone supports MagSafe, but its uneven weight distribution when unfolded can cause it to tip on car docks or tripods. Third-party manufacturers may need to create anti-rotation magnets to fix this issue. Magnetic wallets attach to the device but extend past the bottom edge due to the phone's shorter height, and Apple has not yet provided an official solution.

The camera system offers new possibilities for users. By flipping the phone, users can take selfies using the superior rear cameras while previewing the image on the outer screen. A control allows the full camera app to appear on the outer display, disabling the inner screen to prevent accidental touches. This feature is distinct from Duo Preview, which lets the subject see the viewfinder, and Kids Cue, which displays animations to capture a child’s attention.

Multitasking on the inner screen involves dragging an app to either side to run two applications side by side. Tapping the middle bar locks the two apps as a pair in the Recent apps menu, though they cannot be saved as a single icon. Users should take care with the inner display, which features a matte nano-texture finish that Apple describes as an integral component. Apple warns against removing this finish, as doing so could void the warranty. A damaged finish costs $19 to replace in warranty and $49 out of warranty, while a cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+.

Future software updates will add further conveniences. A later update this year will introduce Reachability, which shifts apps to the left or right rather than pulling them down. Another update will add support for the USB-C Apple Pencil, allowing for writing and drawing on the nano-texture screen. The phone does not include a built-in storage slot for the stylus.