Apple’s Iphone Duo Will Get Easier One-handed Reach Later This Year

WHO:

CNET - CNET said the iPhone Duo’s $1,999 price and wider displays could make it harder to use for left-handed people and people with smaller hands.

MacRumors - Reviewers including Marques Brownlee, Joanna Stern, Mrwhosetheboss, and Brian Tong reported difficulty adjusting to Touch ID and said they missed Face ID.

MacRumors - Apple told Engadget the pause after Touch ID is intended to give the phone time to wake and display Lock Screen notifications.

Not a Tesla App - Tesla UI engineer Alex Guichet said the Tesla app was redesigned for iPad, iPhone Duo, and Android tablets and foldables.

CNN - Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, was tested by a CNN reviewer using a device Apple provided.

CNN - The reviewer said developers had not yet updated many apps for the iPhone Duo’s large screen.

Techmeme - Julian Chokkattu of Wired reported that Apple plans to add Reachability to the iPhone Duo.

CNN - Apps mentioned as not fully optimized included Google Maps, Gmail, Call of Duty Mobile, Uber, and Amazon’s Kindle app. Google, TikTok, Instagram, and Threads were among apps updated during the reviewer’s testing period.

WHAT:

CNN - The reviewer said the iPhone Duo’s closed cover screen felt surprisingly natural and comfortable for typing and swiping.

CNN - The reviewer said the Duo felt smoother and more fluid than Android foldables, although many core features had existed on Samsung and Google phones for years.

CNN - The reviewer said the Duo was thicker and heavier than a passport when closed.

CNN - Apple Books displays pages on both sides of the iPhone Duo’s screen when it is partially folded; Apple’s Messages and Mail show the inbox on the left and messages on the right.

CNN - The reviewer said the iPhone Duo’s wider keyboard was more comfortable than the keyboard on their iPhone 18 Pro.

CNN - The reviewer’s favorite app on the Duo was the puzzle-platform game *Planet of Lana*, which they said looked colorful on the larger display.

MacRumors - Apple’s iPhone Duo screenshots show apps with navigation bars that can be hidden; long-pressing icons opens popovers that are not enlarged for the bigger display.

MacRumors - The Duo supports multiple windows of one app, including Safari, and apps can transition between open, closed, and different positions.

MacRumors - Some reviewers said Touch ID unlocks pause on the Lock Screen; Brownlee said holding a finger on the sensor continues to the Home Screen, while swiping up before touching the sensor provides an instant unlock.

MacRumors - The iPhone Duo can be unlocked with an Apple Watch; PetaPixel said this was faster than Touch ID.

9to5Mac - Apple began setting up covered, large rectangular displays around the glass-cube entrance of its Fifth Avenue store; the structures were identified in a social-media post as iPhone Duo models.

Not a Tesla App - Tesla’s redesigned app uses a left-side menu and vehicle visualization, adds customizable quick controls and a tire-pressure display, and presents Tesla Energy and charging statistics in layouts adapted for larger screens.

Not a Tesla App - On the iPhone Duo’s inner display, Tesla app screenshots show charging details, Live Camera, and recent dashcam clips on the left, with the vehicle visualization on the right; the outer display uses the phone layout.

MacRumors - Apple’s App Store screenshots show Preview with tool palettes at the bottom of the screen; Markup editing pairs a large display area with a bottom tool palette.

MacRumors - The iPhone Duo’s Home Screen places widgets in the Today view on the left and app icons on the right; Lock Screen flashlight and camera icons appear at the bottom right.

MacRumors - On the inner display, the Dynamic Island expands from the side for Live Activities and alerts, while the FaceTime camera is under the screen.

MacRumors - Apple says unfolded portrait orientation is suited to apps that use the keyboard or browsing in Safari.

9to5Mac - The iPhone Duo’s planned Reachability feature is intended to move interface content horizontally, helping users reach controls along the left or right edge of the display.

MacRumors - Apple’s built-in app screenshots show landscape interfaces with iPad-like sidebars; Contacts uses a list-and-editing dual view, while Siri shows a tiled conversation list beside the selected conversation.

MacRumors - The iPhone Duo uses a vertical dock and right-side vertical navigation bars in open and closed views, except when open in portrait orientation, when navigation bars remain at the bottom.

MacRumors - In the Home Screen layout, widgets appear in a Today view on the left and app icons on the right. The inner display has no always-visible Dynamic Island; the outer display has a small vertical Dynamic Island with the camera cutout.

MacRumors - Apple’s apps can hide navigation bars, and long-pressing an icon opens popovers that are not scaled up. The Duo also supports multiple windows of one app, such as Safari, and apps can transition between open, closed, and different positions.

CNN - The Duo’s rear cameras can take selfies while a preview appears on the cover screen.

CNN - The iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch external screen that unfolds into a 7.6-inch internal display. The reviewer described the closed phone as passport-like and the open phone as resembling a thinner, smaller iPad Mini.

CNN - The phone can display two apps at once, including drag-and-drop between apps; examples included moving an image from Photos to a text message.

CNN - When partly folded, the phone can show a clock, photo frame, or calendar, and compatible apps such as Camera and Apple Fitness Plus can shift to the upper part of the display.

CNN - The reviewer used the phone for Netflix, as an alarm clock, to watch football, with a Bluetooth keyboard, and as a camera with a built-in stand.

CNN - The reviewer said the screen crease was barely visible during use and barely noticeable by touch; the matte display reduced glare and smudging.

CNN - The cameras are similar to those on the iPhone 18 Pro, but the Duo lacks a telephoto camera, making zoomed-in photos less crisp.

Techmeme - Apple plans to add Reachability to help people with smaller hands access the left or right edges of the iPhone Duo’s display.

WHERE:

9to5Mac - Apple set up covered rectangular installations around the glass-cube entrance of its Fifth Avenue store in New York; the displays appeared to be oversized iPhone Duo models.

9to5Mac - Apple confirmed U.S. retail stores would have a limited number of iPhone Duo units for walk-in customers; stores in mainland China, Japan, and France would offer in-store pickup for online orders.

CNN - The reviewer said the iPhone Duo fits in a pocket despite offering a larger screen than other phones.

WHEN:

Techmeme - Apple said Reachability is planned for later in 2026.

WHY:

CNN - The reviewer said the Duo’s inner display worked best when devoted to a single app, such as Netflix; split-screen use was convenient but not a likely main reason to buy the phone.

CNN - The reviewer said the $2,000 price was difficult to justify and advised waiting for developers to optimize their apps before deciding whether to buy.

CNN - CNN said Apple generated more than $200 billion in revenue last year from its iPhone business and faced pressure to show it could still captivate consumers after years of incremental iPhone updates.

CNN - The reviewer said app updates are needed because many apps do not yet use the Duo’s large display effectively; some appeared as floating windows or had black bars.

CNN - The reviewer advised waiting for developers to optimize their apps before deciding whether to buy the phone.

HOW:

9to5Mac - Apple’s planned Reachability feature for iPhone Duo will move interface content horizontally, rather than vertically as it does on other iPhones, to bring controls near the left or right screen edges within reach.

9to5Mac - 9to5Mac reviewer Chance Miller said the iPhone Duo’s interface favors right-handed use.

MacRumors - Apple’s built-in app screenshots show the status bar in the upper-right corner of the Home Screen; the inner display’s Dynamic Island expands from the side for Live Activities and alerts, while the outer display has a small vertical Dynamic Island containing the camera cutout.

CNN - The reviewer said tenting the phone or standing it like a book with the screen locked can turn its display into a bedside clock, photo frame, or calendar.

Not a Tesla App - Tesla’s redesigned app shows a more detailed vehicle visualization with an ambient background matching the car’s paint, plus reflections beneath the vehicle; users can open the frunk or trunk, lock or unlock the car, and check charging status from the visualization.

Not a Tesla App - Guichet said the Tesla app update is rolling out gradually and may take “an extra week or two for everyone to get it.”

9to5Mac - On the iPhone Duo, Reachability is planned to move interface content horizontally, unlike the vertical movement on other iPhones.

9to5Mac - 9to5Mac reviewer Chance Miller said the Duo’s interface favors right-handed use.

MacRumors - On other iPhone models, Reachability is activated by swiping down on the bottom edge of the screen, which lowers the top half of the interface.

9to5Mac - Reachability was first introduced in 2014 with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

CNN - The iPhone Duo launches on October 23 and starts at $2,000, the same price as Apple’s latest 14-inch MacBook Pro.

CNN - The reviewer tested the phone for about a week. Battery levels were usually 35% or 46% by bedtime, depending on use.

CNN - Using split-screen mode requires opening an app first; the reviewer initially did not realize this and also accidentally pressed the Siri button while aiming for the volume keys.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 13:17 UTC)

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, pairs a 5.4-inch cover screen with a 7.6-inch inner display, but early testing found its nearly $2,000 price difficult to justify. Reviewers praised the comfortable cover screen, smooth performance, wider keyboard and barely visible crease, while noting the closed phone feels thick and heavy. The larger screen supports two apps side by side, but many popular apps, including Gmail and Google Maps, were not yet optimized. Reviewers also reported adjusting to Touch ID and missing Face ID; Apple says the unlock pause allows time for the phone to wake and show notifications. Apple plans to add Reachability later in 2026 to make screen edges easier to reach. The Duo’s cameras lack a telephoto lens, and reviewers suggested waiting for app updates before deciding whether to buy.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 12:01 UTC)

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, combines a 5.4-inch cover screen with a 7.6-inch inner display, but reviewers say its high price and uneven app support are significant drawbacks. Open, it can run two apps side by side, with drag-and-drop between them, and Apple’s own apps use layouts that resemble an iPad’s. Reviewers praised its comfortable cover screen, wider keyboard, smooth performance and barely noticeable crease; the matte display also helps reduce glare and smudges. But the phone is thick and heavy when closed, and many apps still aren’t optimized for the larger screen. Reviewers also found Touch ID less convenient than Face ID, though Apple says a brief pause allows notifications to appear. Apple plans to add Reachability later in 2026 to help users reach the screen’s edges. The $1,999 price is hard to justify, reviewers said, especially before more developers update their apps.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 09:06 UTC)

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, combines a 5.4-inch outer screen with a 7.6-inch display when opened, and reviewers say it fits in a pocket. Its larger screen supports two apps at once, split-view layouts, multiple windows, and a wider keyboard; the screen crease was barely noticeable during use. But many popular apps are not yet optimized, sometimes appearing in floating windows or with black bars. Reviewers also found Touch ID less convenient than Face ID, though Apple says a brief pause lets the phone display notifications. Apple plans to add Reachability later in 2026 to help people reach controls along either edge. The $1,999 price and wide displays may challenge people with smaller hands, while the cameras lack a telephoto lens. Apple stores will have limited walk-in units in the U.S.; pickup will be available in mainland China, Japan, and France.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 08:04 UTC)

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, unfolds from a 5.4-inch outer screen to a 7.6-inch display and launches on October 23, starting at $2,000. Reviewers praised its large screen, subtle crease and ability to run two apps side by side, but said many apps still need updates to use the display well. The device can fit in a pocket, though its wider screens may be awkward for people with smaller hands or left-handed users. Apple plans to add Reachability later in 2026, shifting interface content horizontally to make edge controls easier to reach. Reviewers also reported adjusting to Touch ID and missing Face ID; Apple says the pause after unlocking lets the screen wake and show notifications. The Duo’s cameras lack a telephoto lens, and its battery typically had charge left at bedtime. Developers’ app updates may be worth waiting for before buying.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 23:16 UTC)

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, opens from a 5.4-inch cover screen into a 7.6-inch display, and launches on October 23 starting at $2,000. A reviewer who tested it for about a week found the crease barely noticeable and said the phone still fits in a pocket. The large screen supports two apps at once, with drag-and-drop between them, and Apple’s apps use layouts with sidebars and vertical navigation. But many third-party apps, including Google Maps, Gmail, Uber and Kindle, have not been optimized, sometimes appearing with black bars or as floating windows. Apple plans to add Reachability later in 2026, shifting interface content sideways so users can reach controls at either edge. The cameras resemble those on the iPhone 18 Pro, though the Duo lacks a telephoto lens. The reviewer advised waiting for more app updates before buying.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 22:20 UTC)

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, unfolds from a 5.4-inch cover screen into a 7.6-inch display and launches on October 23, starting at $2,000. A reviewer found it pocketable, with a barely noticeable crease, and said it can run two apps side by side, including drag-and-drop between them. Apple is also planning Reachability for the device, to shift screen content horizontally so users can reach controls along either edge. The phone’s landscape layouts include iPad-like sidebars, while its home screen places widgets on the left and app icons on the right. But many popular apps still aren’t optimized for the larger display, sometimes showing black bars or floating windows. The cameras lack a telephoto lens, so zoomed-in shots are less crisp. The reviewer recommends waiting for app updates before deciding whether to buy.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 17:19 UTC)

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, opens from a 5.4-inch cover screen into a 7.6-inch display, while still fitting in a pocket. A reviewer who tested an Apple-provided device for about a week said the crease was barely noticeable, and the matte screen reduced glare and smudging. The Duo can run two apps side by side, with drag-and-drop between them, and its built-in apps use tablet-like layouts; its cameras can also take selfies with a preview on the cover screen. But many popular apps are not yet optimized, sometimes appearing in floating windows or with black bars. Apple plans to add Reachability later in 2026 to make the large screen easier to use. The Duo launches on October 23, starting at $2,000. The reviewer advised waiting for app updates before deciding whether to buy it.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 14:07 UTC)

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, opens from a 5.4-inch outer screen into a 7.6-inch display, and a CNN reviewer found the crease barely noticeable and the phone pocket-friendly. It can run two apps side by side, serve as a camera stand, and adapt when partly folded, but many apps still don’t make good use of the larger screen, and its cameras lack a telephoto lens. The iPhone Duo launches on October 23 for $2,000, and Apple plans to add Reachability later in 2026 to make the screen easier to use with one hand.