Apple’s foldable newcomer, the iPhone Duo, skips Face ID entirely—a shock for users accustomed to facial biometrics. However, the new Duo brings back one of its Mac’s most reliable security features: Touch ID. Embedded in the side button, it authenticates whether the phone is folded closed or fully open. But for those who want even more convenience, there’s a lifted-from-Mac-feature that makes unlocking almost invisible.
Automatic Unlock with Apple Watch
Just like unlocking a Mac, the iPhone Duo can now be set to unlock itself automatically when it detects a paired Apple Watch nearby—no pressing or touching required. That unlock option, a staple of macOS, delivers hands-free access and leverages the trust users already place in their Apple Watch as a secure second device.
Timeline to Get It in Your Hands
The iPhone Duo is now up for pre-order, starting at 5:00 a.m. Pacific on Friday, October 16. It becomes available in stores exactly a week later, on Friday, October 23. Those planning to get their hands on one should mark both dates clearly.
Between introducing a foldable display and abandoning Face ID, Apple is doubling down on evolving how users authenticate themselves. The inclusion of Watch-based auto-unlock over Touch ID isn’t just a fallback—it’s a calculated strategy to make security more seamless. For iPhone Duo users, it marries hardware security with wearable convenience. What to watch next: how developers and third-party apps respond to authentication changes, and whether Apple continues this hybrid model in future devices.
