iPhone Duo 2 Rumours: Under-Display Face ID Could Be Next

The first iPhone Duo has barely reached customers, and attention is already turning to its successor. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is testing iPhone Duo 2 prototypes with under-display Face ID, a change that would fix what many early buyers see as the foldable’s biggest compromise. The report is not confirmed by Apple, but it has spread quickly, including in India, where searches for the iPhone Duo jumped this week. Here is what the report says, why the first model skipped Face ID, and whether it is worth waiting.

What the Report Says

Gurman shared the details on his Power On podcast. He said there are already iPhone Duo 2 prototypes at Apple with an under-display Face ID sensor and camera on the outside screen, as MacRumors reported. In those prototypes, the Face ID system sits beneath the outer display rather than in a visible cutout.

Importantly, the prototypes reportedly do not have Face ID on the larger inner screen, only the outer one. Apple also has not decided whether the feature will actually ship, and it has not commented on the report.

Why the First iPhone Duo Uses Touch ID

The original iPhone Duo skipped Face ID because of its exceptionally thin folding design. The depth-sensing parts Face ID needs take up space that was simply not available. Instead, Apple built a Touch ID fingerprint sensor into the side button, similar to some iPads.

That choice works whether the phone is folded or open, but it has drawn complaints. Users who have relied on Face ID since the iPhone X now need to reach for a fingerprint sensor, which is less convenient when wearing gloves or holding something else.

How Under-Display Face ID Could Work

Apple has been shrinking Face ID for several years. The iPhone 18 Pro already moved one of Face ID’s infrared components beneath the display, which made the Dynamic Island smaller, as Digital Trends noted. Moving the whole system under the screen would let Apple bring back facial recognition without a notch or a thicker body.

Rumours also suggest Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhone could get an all-screen design with under-display Face ID next year, so the Duo 2 could benefit from the same technology.

Other possible upgrades

Gurman also said Apple employees have discussed bringing back the Action button on a future Duo, though he sounded less certain about that. Other wish-list items from early reviews include a telephoto camera and longer battery life, but those have not been linked to the Duo 2 in the latest report.

Should You Buy Now or Wait?

The first iPhone Duo starts at US$1,999 and has been in very short supply, as our iPhone Duo stock guide explains. Deciding whether to wait comes down to a few points:

• If Face ID matters a lot to you, waiting may be worth it, but there is no guarantee the Duo 2 will include it.
• If you want a foldable now, the current model’s Touch ID works reliably, and software updates will keep improving the experience.
• Timing is uncertain. A second-generation model would most likely arrive around a year after the first, but Apple has not announced anything.

Australian pricing and dates for the current model are in our iPhone Duo pre-order guide. Our best foldable phones guide compares alternatives.

A Fix in the Works, Not a Promise

The iPhone Duo 2 report suggests Apple is already tackling the first model’s most common complaint. Until Apple confirms its plans, though, Face ID on the Duo 2 remains a strong rumour rather than a guarantee. If you need a foldable iPhone now, buy the current model; if Face ID is a deal-breaker, waiting is a reasonable gamble.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the iPhone Duo 2 have Face ID?

Prototypes reportedly do, but Apple has not decided whether the feature will ship.

Why does the current iPhone Duo not have Face ID?

Its thin folding design left too little space for the Face ID hardware, so Apple used Touch ID in the side button instead.

When will the iPhone Duo 2 launch?

Apple has not announced it. A successor would typically arrive about a year after the original.

Has Apple confirmed this report?

No. Apple has not commented on Gurman’s report.