Apple is already working to fix the iPhone Duo's biggest flaw

Why iPhone Duo doesn't feature Face ID

Similar to the iPad, the iPhone Duo relies on Touch ID. Apple has not officially confirmed this, but it is widely believed that the tech giant decided to skip Face ID in its first foldable because its thin foldable body doesn't have enough space available to install the TrueDepth system needed for Face ID to function. In addition to this, the complexity created due to the dual screens is also considered the reason why the device doesn't have the facial recognition system.

You see, Apple would theoretically have to install two Face ID sensors in the device since it is foldable and can be used both open and closed. So one sensor would have to be present in the inner display and the other on the outer screen. Doing this would have ultimately meant compromising the 5.2 mm thickness of the foldable.

Users really want Face ID

Online community forums like Reddit are filled with posts and comments from users, basically calling the lack of Face ID one of the biggest drawbacks of the iPhone Duo that costs almost $2000. One user mentioned under a relevant post that Face ID is comparatively faster than Touch ID. Even popular creators like MKBHD and Nothing CEO Carl Pei consider the unavailability of facial recognition technology one of the biggest trade-offs of the iPhone Duo in comparison to other foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

The iPhone Duo 2 can be a great device

There are certainly plenty of things to appreciate in the iPhone Duo, like its big battery, its hinge quality, the ability to work on two apps side by side simultaneously, and also its opening and closing animation. However, the lack of Face ID definitely puts the foldable iPhone on the back foot against some of its main competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold that feature this technology. Furthermore, both of these devices also come with a dedicated telephoto lens, which is another thing for which the iPhone Duo is being criticized.

With the possibility of the second generation of iPhone Duo shipping with a Face ID sensor, I believe it could turn out to be a really great device. But as a Gurman mentioned, Apple is yet to finalize whether it is going to add this technology or not, so let's take this information with a big grain of salt and keep our fingers crossed. That said, I also want the next generation of foldable iPhones to feature an action button and offer all the software-based camera features like ProRes that are missing in the first generation of iPhone Duo.