Apple's first foldable iPhone costs $1,999

The iPhone Duo is priced at $1,999, a figure that anchors the launch of Apple's first folding smartphone. This device arrives seven years after Samsung introduced the category with the Galaxy Fold. The long development period has allowed the company to refine the hardware away from public scrutiny. Early assessments describe the device as a competent entry into the foldable market, though it carries specific software and hardware trade-offs.

The physical form of the phone presents a new challenge for software developers. The device features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inch inner display. Because these dimensions are unique to Apple, many third-party applications have not yet been optimized for the layout. While Apple's own redesigned apps function correctly, other programs often appear as narrow strips centered on the screen with thick black bars on either side.

Several major applications, including Slack, Instagram, DoorDash, and WhatsApp, have already received updates for iOS 27.1. However, even these updated apps sometimes display broken interface elements. Apple has also shifted its navigation controls to the right side of the screen instead of centering them at the bottom. The phone is currently back-ordered for several weeks, which may give developers time to finalize their software fixes before many customers receive their devices.

A notable design change is the removal of Face ID. The iPhone Duo relies on Touch ID for security, with the sensor located on the right side of the device. This marks the first time a flagship iPhone has returned to a fingerprint reader, although the technology remains on the iPhone SE, iPads, and MacBooks. The Dynamic Island remains but has been moved to the top-right edge near the outer selfie camera.

Accessories require some adjustment for the new form factor. The phone supports MagSafe, but its weight distribution causes it to tip when attached to car docks or tripods while unfolded. Third-party manufacturers may need to use anti-rotation magnets to solve this issue. Magnetic wallets can attach to the back, but they extend past the bottom edge because the Duo is shorter than previous iPhone models.

The camera system offers a distinct advantage for self-portraits. Users can utilize the higher-quality rear cameras for selfies while previewing the image on the outer screen. A control allows the full camera app to move to the outer display, disabling the inner screen to prevent accidental touches. This is separate from the Duo Preview feature, which shows the viewfinder to the subject, and Kids Cue, which plays animations to engage children.

Multitasking is handled by dragging apps to either side of the inner screen to run two programs 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. The inner display features a matte nano-texture finish that Apple describes as integral to the hardware. The company warns users not to remove this finish, as doing so may void the warranty and affect display performance.

Repair costs are defined for the new display. A damaged nano-texture finish can be replaced for $19 in-store or $49 out of warranty. A cracked inner display costs $999 without AppleCare+. Software updates are planned for later this year to add Reachability and support for the USB-C Apple Pencil. The stylus is not stored on the phone itself.