Apple Reportedly Testing iPhone Duo 2 With Face ID

Apple has begun testing early prototypes of the iPhone Duo 2 equipped with under-display Face ID on its outer cover screen, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman on 23 October 2026. The leak emerges on the exact day the first-generation iPhone Duo arrived in retail stores, addressing early criticism regarding the original foldable's reliance on a side-mounted Touch ID sensor and the absence of Apple's Action Button. With initial Malaysian pre-orders for the first iPhone Duo already moving quickly through local retail channels, local early adopters face an immediate question: whether to invest in the debut hardware or wait for biometric upgrades in the second generation.

Key Facts

Apple is evaluating biometric and physical input upgrades for its second-generation foldable smartphone while retail availability for the debut model begins internationally and in Malaysia. The primary engineering changes currently under prototype testing focus on external display biometrics and physical control buttons.

Apple has initiated prototype testing for the iPhone Duo 2 featuring under-display Face ID on the outer panel alongside an Action Button.

Why Did the First iPhone Duo Omit Face ID?

Apple omitted Face ID from the original iPhone Duo primarily because of physical enclosure constraints and structural limitations inherent to thin foldable chassis designs. Engineering depth-sensing hardware into an ultra-slim casing while accommodating multiple viewing orientations presented substantial spatial hurdles, compelling the company to rely on a side-mounted capacitive Touch ID fingerprint sensor instead.

According to analysis from MacRumors, the first-generation foldable profile left insufficient internal volume for the complex TrueDepth sensor array normally required for facial mapping. Implementing the depth-sensing modules across both inner and outer panels would have demanded duplicate hardware, escalating component density and manufacturing complexity. Engadget also noted that the device's variable orientation during handheld operation further complicated sensor alignment.

Apple is “actively working” on under-display Face ID technology and testing it on outer display prototypes.

Mark Gurman, Bloomberg

Although the original iPhone Duo marks Apple's first commercial product featuring an under-display camera, biometric security remained anchored to the side button. Early device reviews indicate that while the capacitive fingerprint sensor operates accurately, recognition latency can be slower than optical alternatives, and button placement proves less ergonomic depending on how users hold the unfolded chassis.

Physical thickness constraints and orientation variables forced Apple to substitute TrueDepth sensors with side-mounted Touch ID on its first foldable.

Will the Action Button Arrive on Future Foldables?

Apple is actively evaluating the addition of the Action Button to future foldable models to standardise physical controls across its premium smartphone catalogue. The programmable physical key was entirely omitted from the first-generation iPhone Duo, but Bloomberg reports that internal hardware roadmaps now consider bringing the feature to subsequent foldable iterations.

The omission of the Action Button on the first-generation model mirrored its biometric trade-offs, where internal structural space was reserved strictly for hinge mechanics and display assemblies. Introducing a customisable mechanical or solid-state input to the iPhone Duo 2 would bring functional parity with Apple's contemporary standard flagship devices.

However, Bloomberg's reporting emphasises that these prototypes represent early exploratory development. Apple regularly tests hardware configurations that undergo extensive revision or complete cancellation prior to commercial tooling, meaning the final production specification may differ substantially from preliminary laboratory units.

Prototype assessments indicate Apple is considering adding the Action Button to future foldable revisions after excluding it from the debut generation.

What It Means for Malaysian Buyers

Malaysian consumers evaluating the first-generation iPhone Duo must weigh immediate availability against the likelihood of iterative hardware revisions in subsequent generations. With initial pre-order allocations selling rapidly across local retail channels, local buyers must determine whether side-mounted Touch ID and the lack of an Action Button represent acceptable compromises for first-generation foldable ownership.

Neither local pricing nor Malaysian release dates have been announced for the iPhone Duo 2, as the device remains in internal testing without public certification. Buyers requiring reliable facial authentication or standard flagship controls may prefer exercising patience, while current purchasers should prepare for the rapid iteration typical of early foldable categories.

Malaysian buyers should treat the first iPhone Duo as an early-adopter device while knowing major biometric updates remain in development.

Common Questions

Does the original iPhone Duo have Face ID?

No, the original iPhone Duo uses a capacitive Touch ID fingerprint sensor embedded within the side power button. Depth-sensing TrueDepth hardware was omitted due to structural space limits inside the thin folding chassis, though the device does include an under-display camera.

When will the iPhone Duo 2 launch in Malaysia?

No launch date or Malaysian availability has been confirmed for the iPhone Duo 2. The device is currently undergoing early prototype testing at Apple, meaning commercial availability and local regulatory approval through SIRIM or MCMC remain unannounced.

Will the iPhone Duo 2 have an Action Button?

Bloomberg reports that Apple is considering the Action Button for future foldable models, including the iPhone Duo 2. However, this feature remains in prototype evaluation and has not been confirmed as a final production specification.

Sources and Methodology

This report synthesises reporting published by Lowyat.NET on 23 October 2026, referencing disclosures made by Mark Gurman on Bloomberg's Power On podcast, alongside technical analysis from MacRumors and Engadget. Malaysian pre-order traction reflects local market reporting recorded at the time of publication. No unofficial pricing or speculative conversion rates have been applied in this dispatch.

ROCKSTARmedia Tech evaluates prototype disclosures against verified production releases and regional supply availability to provide objective purchasing guidance.