Apple Embeds Face ID Under iPhone Duo 2 Outer Screen, Mark Gurman Reports
Apple is testing facial recognition hardware beneath the outer screen of its upcoming foldable successor, while keeping Touch ID status uncertain.
Key points
- iPhone Duo 2 prototypes include Face ID sensors integrated under the outer display, according to Mark Gurman.
- The first-generation iPhone Duo uses Touch ID due to space constraints in its thin foldable chassis.
- Apple is also exploring adding an Action button to the next-generation foldable device.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman stated on his Power On podcast that Apple is actively testing iPhone Duo 2 prototypes equipped with Face ID technology. The facial recognition sensor is integrated beneath the display on the device’s outer screen, marking a shift from the current model’s biometric approach.
The current first-generation iPhone Duo relies on a Touch ID fingerprint sensor embedded in the side button. This design choice drew criticism from early reviewers, with 9to5Mac’s Chance Miller calling the switch away from Face ID the hardest aspect of the new foldable to adjust to.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Apple initially avoided Face ID on the first iPhone Duo because fitting the necessary depth-sensing components into the super-thin enclosure proved difficult. The company prioritized uniformity between the inner and outer displays, making it unlikely to install Face ID on only one screen.
Gurman noted that Apple has been working to make Face ID components smaller and less obtrusive. The iPhone 18 Pro demonstrates this progress with an under-display infrared camera, allowing for a smaller Dynamic Island cutout. This miniaturization effort appears to be enabling the integration of facial authentication into the foldable’s outer display.
Future Feature Possibilities
While the under-display Face ID is being tested, Apple has not finalized whether the feature will ship in the next-generation model expected next fall. Gurman suggested that if development slips, the technology might appear in the iPhone Duo 3 instead.
Employees are also exploring ways to add the Action button to the next iPhone Duo. Gurman expressed less confidence about this addition compared to the Face ID prototypes. It remains unclear whether Apple would remove the Touch ID sensor entirely or keep both biometric methods for different display orientations.
What should you do?
Monitor official Apple announcements for confirmed specifications of the iPhone Duo 2. Reviewers have noted that the current Touch ID implementation works accurately but may take longer to unlock the device than expected.
What to do and how to stay safe: Apple
- Check official Apple press releases for confirmed biometric features before purchasing the next-generation foldable.
- Evaluate whether the current Touch ID implementation meets your security and convenience needs for immediate use.
- Wait for independent reviews of the iPhone Duo 2 to verify the reliability of under-display Face ID.
- Monitor pricing updates, as adding complex sensors may affect the final cost of the successor model.
Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Will the iPhone Duo 2 definitely have Face ID?
No, Apple has not finalized the feature set, and Gurman noted that shipping next year is not guaranteed.
Why does the current iPhone Duo use Touch ID?
The thin design of the first-generation foldable left limited space for the depth-sensing components required for Face ID.
Is Apple adding an Action button to the next iPhone Duo?
Gurman reported that employees are exploring this addition, but he seems less confident about it than the Face ID prototypes.
