The $1,999 Cost of Apple's Entry Into the Folding Phone Market

Apple has finally entered the folding smartphone market with a device that costs nearly two thousand dollars.

The iPhone Duo marks a significant departure from the company's traditional design, arriving seven years after Samsung introduced the first foldable device. The hardware has been refined over this extended period, resulting in a device that reviewers describe as a solid entry into the category. However, the $1,999 price point requires buyers to weigh several software and accessory considerations before making a purchase.

Software adaptation remains the primary hurdle for users. The phone features a 5.4-inch outer screen and a 7.6-inner display, a format that many third-party applications have not yet fully optimized. While Apple's own apps are redesigned for the new shape, others like Instagram, Slack, and WhatsApp often appear as narrow strips with black bars on the sides. Apple has shifted navigation elements to the right rail, and because the device is currently back-ordered for several weeks, developers may have time to catch up before most customers receive their units.

A major design change is the removal of Face ID in favor of Touch ID on the right side of the device. This is the first time the fingerprint sensor has appeared on a flagship iPhone since the iPhone SE, likely due to the phone's thin profile. The Dynamic Island remains but is relocated to the top-right edge. Users who preferred facial authentication may find the change inconvenient, while others may welcome the return of the physical sensor.

Accessories present some physical challenges. Although the phone supports MagSafe, its uneven weight distribution causes it to tip when unfolded on docks or tripods. Third-party makers may need to adjust their products with anti-rotation magnets. Magnetic wallets also protrude past the bottom edge because the Duo is shorter than other iPhones, and Apple has not provided an official fix for this issue.

Photography offers a distinct advantage, allowing users to take selfies with the superior rear cameras while previewing on the outer screen. A new control lets users slide the full camera app to the outer display, disabling the inner screen to prevent accidental touches. The device also supports side-by-side multitasking, where users can lock two apps as a pair for easy access, though they cannot be saved as a single icon.

Care for the inner display requires specific attention. Apple describes the matte nano-texture finish as an integral component and warns users not to attempt to remove it. A damaged finish costs $19 for in-warranty replacement, while a cracked inner display is priced at $999 without AppleCare+. Future software updates will add support for the USB-C Apple Pencil and new reachability features, though there is no built-in storage for the stylus.