Apple is planning major enhancements for the iPhone Duo series according to recent leaks — including four potentially showstopping features under development. While the current Duo model launched with a full set of core tech, its next stages of evolution may finally fill in some widely noted gaps. Here’s what’s reportedly in the works.
1. Face ID Returns — Beneath the Outer Display
The major shift is the return of Face ID. Prototypes of the iPhone Duo 2 are said to include an under-display Face ID sensor embedded in the outer screen. While the first-generation Duo skipped this due to design constraints, Apple is now working to miniaturize depth sensing components in order to make facial recognition possible without sacrificing the thin outer panel. That said, the feature isn’t guaranteed to ship in Duo 2 — it could slip to Duo 3 if engineering hurdles persist. Apple may also retain Touch ID in the side button alongside Face ID, depending on how hardware integration unfolds.
2. Action Button Joins the Lineup
Another missing element in the original Duo is the Action button — the multi-function switch Apple introduced on newer iPhones, replacing the mute toggle. The company is reportedly exploring ways to add an Action button in upcoming Duo models. Although the design is less finalized compared to the Face ID prototype, this inclusion could bring much-requested tactile control back into the fold.
3. A Dedicated Telephoto Camera
At launch, the iPhone Duo relies on a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera with an “optical-quality” 2× zoom by using sensor crops rather than true optical telephoto lenses. But leaks suggest Apple is testing a proper telephoto camera for future models. Fitting the optics into Duo’s ultra-thin frame remains a major engineering challenge, so while design aims are high, it may arrive later rather than sooner.
4. Slimmer, Lighter — with Display Fine-Tuning
Build refinement is also a priority. Prototypes show plans for reducing weight and trimming down the frame. One spec under evaluation: enlarging the inner display by about 0.5 inches — not via a new SKU, but a unified model with slightly larger screen real estate. That change, alongside component thinning and structural tweaks, could make future Duo models feel closer to conventional phones when folded.
Where Things Stand
The current iPhone Duo, starting at $1,999, launched without Face ID, without a telephoto lens, without the Action button, and with the current display sizes — 7.6 inches inner and 5.4 inches outer. Its biometric lock is done via Touch ID on the side button, hardware features missing from last generation iPhones. Apple’s current Duo handles these omission with careful choices in durability, displays, camera, and its A20 Pro chip. Meanwhile, reviews have praised much of the new screen experience, while noting what’s missing. The engineering roadmap appears focused on closing those gaps.
The stakes are high: Apple’s first foldable has naturally led to comparisons with its own pro-line and the established Android foldable market. Delivering these upgrades is essential if the Duo series aims not just to impress with novelty, but compete on par with flagship expectations.
