Apple’s newly announced foldable iPhone Duo arrives without Face ID or a dedicated telephoto camera due to physical depth constraints, but Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman reports that the company plans to introduce both features by the third-generation model through a combination of component miniaturization and advanced artificial intelligence.
The Physics Problem Behind iPhone Duo Hardware Omissions
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the decision to omit Face ID and a dedicated optical zoom lens from the initial iPhone Duo comes down to strict hardware limitations. Measuring only 5.2 millimetres thick when fully open, the device lacks the internal depth required to house both Face ID’s complex depth-sensing modules and a folded telephoto camera architecture. As a result, the first-generation device relies on Touch ID embedded in the side button and a 48-megapixel main sensor that uses a sensor crop for its 2x telephoto option, diverging from the hardware suite found on standard Pro models.
Did you know? While the iPhone Duo measures just 5.2mm thick when unfolded, it features a 5.4-inch cover display, a 7.6-inch inner display, and runs on an A20 Pro chipset, according to Apple’s technical specifications.
How Apple Plans to Bring Face ID and Telephoto to Gen 3
Gurman reports in his Power On newsletter that Apple intends to solve these spatial challenges by the third-generation iPhone Duo. The proposed solution relies on miniaturizing physical components while leveraging artificial intelligence to process visual data. By using smaller, less sophisticated depth-sensing and camera hardware, Apple can make up the optical difference computationally, according to Gurman’s reporting. This strategy could allow future folding devices to match the biometric security and zoom capabilities of candy-bar iPhones without compromising the ultra-thin form factor.
Trade-Offs for Early Adopters
TechRadar notes that despite missing out on Face ID, a dedicated telephoto lens, and the Action Button, the iPhone Duo still offers unique folding-specific capabilities. Users can utilize rear-camera selfies with an outer-screen preview, Duo Preview for subjects, and a propped-up shooting position. However, long-time Apple users accustomed to biometric facial recognition and optical zoom must weigh these novel form-factor benefits against traditional Pro-tier hardware compromises until future generations arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the first-generation iPhone Duo have Face ID?
No. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the iPhone Duo uses Touch ID in its side button instead of Face ID due to the physical depth constraints of its 5.2mm-thin folding design.
What camera system does the iPhone Duo use?
The device includes a 48-megapixel main camera and an ultra-wide camera.
When will Face ID and a telephoto lens come to the iPhone Duo?
Mark Gurman reports that Apple is expected to prioritize adding both features by the third-generation iPhone Duo by utilizing component miniaturization and AI-driven computational photography.