Apple’s first foldable iPhone starts shipping October 23 without Face ID, and the second one may bring it back. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said on his Power On podcast that Apple is already testing prototypes. They reportedly have a Face ID sensor hidden under the screen.
Why does this matter? The original iPhone Duo costs $1,999. It unlocks with a fingerprint sensor in the side button, not the face scanning found on Apple’s other flagship phones. iPhones have used Face ID since the iPhone X, nearly a decade ago, so anyone who pre-ordered a Duo may wonder whether Apple will fix that. The report suggests the company is at least working on it.
Under-display means the hardware hides behind the screen instead of sitting in a visible cutout. The sensor would sit under the outer display, so the phone wouldn’t need a notch. That idea is easier to believe because the original Duo already uses Apple’s first under-display camera.
Why Face ID isn’t a sure thing
Nothing is final. It’s unclear whether those test units actually include Face ID. Apple is also reportedly looking at bringing back the Action Button, the customizable side button that the original Duo dropped.
Space is the bigger hurdle. GSMArena says Apple’s ability to ship under-display Face ID next year depends on shrinking the face-scanning parts. That includes a dot projector and an infrared camera. Those parts take up room, and a foldable that thin has very little to spare.
So the same slimming work that makes the sensor possible may also decide whether it makes the cut.
What it means if you’re buying now
The Touch ID sensor has not won many fans. GSMArena says most reviewers dislike it. The sensor can be hard to reach depending on how you hold the phone. It also needs a finger resting on it to fully unlock.
Gurman has also said he expects Apple to switch back to Face ID. He puts that within the first or second update, roughly two to three years from now. That is a wide window, and a rumor is not a promise.
For now, a Duo bought today comes with Touch ID. If Face ID matters to you, waiting for the second model is a gamble until Apple confirms something.
