In the latest episode of his Power On podcast, Gurman revealed that Apple is experimenting with iPhone Duo 2 prototypes featuring a Face ID system positioned beneath the outer display.

The development is significant because facial recognition has become a defining security and convenience feature of modern iPhones, yet it is absent from Apple's premium foldable device.

The iPhone Duo 2 is reportedly scheduled to launch in fall 2027.

However, Apple has not made a final decision on whether Face ID will be included in the commercial version.

The technology remains in the testing phase, meaning its appearance in the finished device is far from guaranteed.

Gurman previously reported that Apple was prioritizing two major hardware improvements for future generations of its foldable iPhone: Face ID and a dedicated telephoto camera.

Those upgrades had initially been considered potential additions to the third-generation iPhone Duo.

The discovery that Apple is already testing Face ID in second-generation prototypes suggests the company may be accelerating its development plans.

If testing proves successful, customers could gain access to facial recognition sooner than previously expected.

Nevertheless, a prototype does not necessarily represent the final product.

Apple could still revise its plans if it encounters challenges involving technical performance, manufacturing costs or the limited internal space available in the device.

Why does the original iPhone Duo lack Face ID?

Like certain iPad models, the current iPhone Duo uses Touch ID rather than Face ID for biometric authentication.

Apple has not officially explained why it omitted facial recognition, but technology observers believe the phone's exceptionally thin design was a major consideration.

Traditional Face ID relies on Apple's TrueDepth camera system, which requires sufficient internal space for optical sensors and related hardware.

The iPhone Duo measures approximately 5.2mm thick when unfolded, making it difficult to accommodate additional components.

Its dual-screen design introduces another engineering challenge.

Unlike a conventional smartphone, a foldable device can be used in both open and closed configurations, meaning biometric authentication must remain convenient across different usage scenarios.

In theory, providing Face ID in both configurations could require a sensor system compatible with the external and internal displays.

If Apple needed separate sensor assemblies for each screen, the additional hardware would consume valuable space that could otherwise be used for other components.

That could affect the phone's thickness, battery capacity, hinge construction or internal component layout.

For a product such as the iPhone Duo, which must balance thinness, durability and performance, even relatively small hardware additions require careful consideration.

Integrating Face ID beneath the outer display could offer a way to address the problem without sacrificing as much internal space.

However, the technology's reliability and readiness for mass production remain uncertain.

The original iPhone Duo has also attracted complaints about overheating when running demanding applications, adding to concerns about the compromises required by its ultra-thin design.

Nearly $2,000 price intensifies criticism over missing Face ID

On online forums, particularly Reddit, users have frequently identified the lack of Face ID as one of the iPhone Duo's biggest weaknesses.

The omission has attracted additional criticism because the device costs nearly $2,000, placing it among the most expensive smartphones on the market.

Some users argue that Face ID offers faster and more convenient authentication than Touch ID in everyday situations.

Facial recognition allows users to unlock their phones or verify their identities without deliberately placing a finger on a sensor.

That can be particularly convenient when checking notifications or using a phone while it rests on a desk.

The absence of Face ID has also invited unfavorable comparisons with competing Android foldables.

Prominent technology figures, including content creator Marques Brownlee, widely known as MKBHD, and Nothing CEO Carl Pei, have identified the lack of facial recognition as a notable compromise in Apple's foldable smartphone.

Competing devices such as Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold have been cited as alternatives with advantages in facial recognition features.

For some customers, the absence of a familiar iPhone feature makes the Duo feel less complete than expected from a flagship product.

Users who have relied on Face ID for years may find the transition to Touch ID more disruptive than simply adopting a different unlocking method.

The change affects established daily habits, including unlocking the device, authorizing payments and accessing security-sensitive applications.

For a smartphone positioned at the top of Apple's product lineup, such compromises can carry greater weight in purchasing decisions.

Telephoto camera and other upgrades could improve appeal

Beyond Face ID, a dedicated telephoto camera is another major feature that users hope Apple will introduce in future iPhone Duo models.

A telephoto lens allows users to photograph distant subjects using optical magnification, preserving more image quality than digital zoom.

The technology has become an important feature of premium smartphones, particularly for people who frequently photograph portraits, landscapes or subjects at a distance.

If the iPhone Duo 2 eventually includes both Face ID and a telephoto camera, Apple could significantly strengthen the device's competitive position.

The phone would then offer more than its foldable design and multitasking capabilities, addressing features that customers have come to expect from high-end smartphones.

However, while Face ID is reportedly being tested in second-generation prototypes, the timing of a dedicated telephoto camera remains less certain.

Earlier reports suggested that both upgrades might not arrive until the third-generation model.

Other anticipated improvements include an Action Button and additional camera software capabilities missing from the original iPhone Duo, such as ProRes video recording.

These features could make the next-generation foldable more appealing to content creators and customers who want the full range of capabilities associated with Apple's premium iPhones.

For now, the reported Face ID testing offers an indication that Apple is examining ways to improve the iPhone Duo's hardware and user experience.

Whether those experiments translate into commercial features will depend on the company's ability to overcome the engineering challenges of its ultra-thin foldable design.

Hai Phong