By Matt Tate, Oct. 22, 2026, 10:06 a.m. EST – Sam Rutherford for Engadget
The iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable phone, has been in the hands of reviewers for a short time, and despite being a debut model, it has earned largely positive feedback. One noticeable drawback for users accustomed to modern iPhones is the absence of Face ID; Apple reverted to Touch ID, a move not seen since the 2022 iPhone SE. Most iPhone owners have relied on Face ID since the iPhone X.
In our review we found the Touch ID system on the Duo to be accurate, though it can take slightly longer to unlock the device than many expect. According to Apple insider Mark Gurman, the company is already exploring ways to bring its newer facial‑recognition technology to the next version of the foldable. Speaking on his Power On podcast, Gurman said Apple is “actively working” on an under‑display Face ID solution and that prototypes of an iPhone Duo 2 already incorporate the technology into the outer screen. He also cited the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, which feature a reduced‑size Dynamic Island, as proof that Apple is finding ways to hide more components beneath its displays.
The first‑generation Duo also introduced Apple’s inaugural under‑display camera. The decision to equip the $2,000 foldable with Touch ID, rather than Face ID, likely stems from the device’s need to function comfortably in multiple orientations. Installing Face ID sensors on both the inner and outer displays would have complicated the design and driven up the price of an already premium product. Gurman noted that the Duo’s screen is exceptionally thin, making the addition of extra components a technical challenge. Apple also wanted the two displays to look and feel identical, so a Face ID system on only one panel was not a viable option for this iteration.
Bloomberg reported that the action button, first seen on the iPhone 15 Pro, could make an appearance on a future iPhone Duo 2, hinting at further convergence between Apple’s flagship lineup and its foldable experiment.