Video shows a southpaw using the iPhone Duo with one hand

Two weeks ago, we told you that some left-handed consumers were wondering whether they could comfortably hold and operate the foldable iPhone Duo with one hand. One reason for this is the lack of Face ID on the Duo, which might force a lefty to reach across the phone to tap the Touch ID sensor.

Why some lefties might have a problem using the iPhone Duo with one hand

Another issue is that the vertical app dock is on the right side of the internal display, making it an awkward stretch for a southpaw. This last issue is one that Apple could seemingly improve for lefties via a software update adding an option to move the dock to the other side.

When to expect Apple to add Face ID to the iPhone Duo

There is speculation that Apple will add Face ID in the third-generation Duo. Any hardware changes probably won’t be made for next year’s foldable iPhone. If you’re holding off for a version of the Duo with a telephoto camera, you will probably have to wait for the 2028 iPhone Duo.

Hitchins did seem to be a little shaky holding and operating the device one-handed with his left hand. But he did reveal that he is right-handed.

The external display posed little problem, and it appeared that any area of the 5.4-inch external screen was reachable with the iPhone Duo held in a user’s left hand. With the internal display unfolded, Hitchins didn’t try to tap any of the app icons in the dock, which we suspect might be one of the major issues facing a southpaw using their phone.

It all comes down to how you hold your smartphone. I’m a lefty and hold my phone using my dominant left hand. Some people prefer to use their weaker hand to hold the device, leaving their stronger hand free to handle any tasks that come up.

The size of a user's hand is also important

Another important factor is the size of the user’s hands. A very large paw can make up for an iPhone Duo user’s tendency to favor their left hand.

I’ve stayed away from foldables for now, concerned that opening up the internal display, while on the go, would make me unsteady and cause me to drop the Duo on the ground.

When will Apple start accepting pre-orders for the iPhone Duo?

Apple will start accepting pre-orders for the iPhone Duo on October 16. The first foldable iPhone will be released exactly one week later, on October 23. Pricing starts at $1,999 for the unit sporting 256GB of storage and rises to $3,199 for the variant with 2TB of storage.

The official iPhone Duo case from Apple will cost $79 in Sand or Navy Blue. Pre-orders for first-party cases also begin on October 16, with an October 23 release date.

A MagSafe Charger for the foldable with a 1-meter (3.28 foot) or 2-meter (6.56 foot) long cable will be priced at $39 and $49, respectively. A 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max will be available from Apple for $39.

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