Apple Duo Foldable Launches at $1,999 With Touch ID and Software Gaps

Apple released its first folding smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on October 23, 2026.

Priced at $1,999, the device arrives seven years after Samsung launched the Galaxy Fold. Early reviews describe the hardware as a well-refined foldable, though the new form factor presents immediate software challenges for buyers.

The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display. Many third-party applications have not yet been optimized for this specific shape. On the new device, apps such as Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp appear as narrow strips with thick black bars on the sides. Although these apps have received updates for iOS 27.1, some still display broken interface elements. Apple has also moved navigation controls to a right-hand rail instead of the bottom center. Because the device is back-ordered for several weeks, developers may finalize optimizations before many customers receive their units.

The device marks the first return of Touch ID to a flagship iPhone since the iPhone SE. Apple replaced Face ID with a fingerprint sensor located on the right side, a change likely driven by the device's thin profile. The Dynamic Island remains but is relocated to the top-right edge near the outer selfie camera. It appears in the same corner on the inner display during live activities.

Physical accessories require adjustment for the new design. While the Duo supports MagSafe, attaching it to a car dock or tripod causes the unfolded phone to tip due to uneven weight distribution. Magnetic wallets also extend past the bottom edge because the device is shorter than other iPhones. Apple has not offered an official fix for these alignment issues.

Photography tools include a feature that allows users to take selfies using the superior rear cameras while previewing on the outer screen. A control labeled "Slide to show camera" moves the full camera app to the outer display and disables the inner screen to prevent accidental touches. Multitasking allows users to drag an app from the bottom to either side of the inner screen to run two applications side by side. Tapping the middle bar locks the pair, though it cannot be saved as a single icon.

Apple warns that the matte nano-texture finish on the inner screen is an integral component and should not be removed. A damaged finish costs $19 to replace in warranty or $49 out of warranty, while a cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+. A software update later this year will add support for the USB-C Apple Pencil, which will not have a dedicated storage slot on the phone.