9 Features Apple Missed in Its First Foldable – iPhone Duo

Update: We last updated this article on September 11 with more features missing in iPhone Duo

Apple has finally taken the wraps off its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, at its “Surprise and Shine” event. It is also the most expensive iPhone to date, costing an insane ₹3 lakh. Since the iPhone Duo was rumoured to be in development for a decade, many were hoping it would be the perfect foldable phone. However, there are 9 features that Apple has missed with the iPhone Duo.

1. No Face ID Support

This is the first time in many years that we won’t be getting Face ID on a modern iPhone. One of the major features that iPhone Duo misses out on is Apple’s proprietary facial recognition technology, which was first introduced with the iPhone X. Instead, Apple is making a return to Touch ID, which we last saw on the iPhone SE (3rd Gen). Interestingly, the implementation for Touch ID is different, as it’s now embedded on the side of the phone. Yes, there are two selfie cameras, one for the cover screen and another for the cover display, but still no Face ID. Even Apple hasn’t cracked the formula yet, as fitting the TrueDepth system in a thin chassis seems difficult for now.

2. No Telephoto Lens

Just like the iPhone 17, another one of the crucial features that iPhone Duo misses out on is a telephoto lens. You get a 48MP primary and a 48MP ultrawide-angle setup. This is the same camera system as the iPhone 17, which is disappointing for a phone that costs ₹3 lakhs. Given it’s the most expensive iPhone launched yet, it makes no sense for Apple not to offer a telephoto lens, seeing how other foldables like the Pixel 11 Pro Fold and the Xiaomi 18 Fold do feature them. In an effort to keep the phone slim at 4.5mm, Apple has literally shelved the telephoto lens on the iPhone Duo.

3. No Physical SIM Slot

Since the iPhone Duo is basically a foldable version of the iPhone Air, another thing it misses out on is a physical SIM slot. This means the iPhone Duo supports only eSIM. Owing to the slim nature of the iPhone Duo, there’s hardly any space to fit in a physical SIM Slot. After the iPhone Air, this is the second iPhone launched in India without a physical SIM slot.

Also Read:

• 10 Samsung Z Fold Features We Want in Apple’s First Foldable – iPhone Ultra
• 7 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Features That Put Other Foldables to Shame
• iOS 27 Update: Eligible Devices, Features, and Release Date
• Everything Announced at the Apple Surprise and Shine Event

4. No Action Button

Apple replaced the Mute Switch with the Action Button starting with the iPhone 15 Pro. But surprisingly, the new iPhone Duo misses out on another thing: the ever-so-useful Action Button. You still get the Power button, Volume button, and even the useless camera control button. As for why Apple isn’t including an Action Button, well, there’s more to it than just saving up space. According to tipster Instant Digital (Weibo- Use VPN), the motherboard is located on the right side of the iPhone Duo, and running cables through it after folding the phones can increase the chances of failure. With all the buttons located on the right, there’s no space left for an Action Button.

5. No Samsung DeX-style desktop mode

When Apple announced the iPhone Duo on stage, many were hoping for a desktop mode similar to Samsung DeX. Imagine connecting your iPhone to a monitor and getting a full-fledged desktop environment with taskbars and a keyboard and mouse. These features would have made the iPhone Duo into an ultimate productivity machine. Unfortunately, Apple has kept it plain and simple by letting you multitask with only two windows.

6. No Reverse Wireless Charging

Last but not least is the lack of reverse wireless charging. While iPhones have had wireless charging since the iPhone 8, it still lacks reverse wireless charging. This means you cannot charge your AirPods or Apple Watch with your iPhone. And it’s not the hardware, mind you, but the software that Apple has restricted the feature. The iPhone Duo, just like all previous iPhones, misses out on a crucial feature like reverse wireless charging.

7. No ProRAW, No ProRes And Other Pro Camera Features

The iPhone Duo, despite being the most expensive iPhone, lacks features that you find on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. This includes ProRes and ProRAW, features you usually find on Pro iPhones. It also lacks other camera features such as subject tracking and focus lock. There’s also no Apple LOG recording support or Apple Reference Image to verify the authenticity of the image. Given the premium price of the iPhone Duo, it’s a bit disappointing to see the features missing.

8. No Floating Window And Resize Split Screen

Just like its name, the iPhone Duo can only open two windows in split-screen mode. There’s no Slide Over (floating window) or Stage Manager that you will find on the iPad 11th Gen. Sadly, you also can’t resize the split-screen windows by dragging the handle left or right like on the iPad. The lack of Slide Over and resizable split-screen is a major missing feature on the iPhone Duo.

9. No Rating for iPhone Duo Folds

Apple hasn’t exactly revealed the number of folds the iPhone Duo can withstand. The company states it uses a custom hinge with more than 100 components that are “built to last”. The lack of a specific number isn’t exactly reassuring for a prospective buyer. On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is rated to last 200,000 fold cycles, which will last 5.5 years based on 100 folds per day.

That’s it; these are 6 features that are currently missing on the latest iPhone Duo. Which feature do you miss the most? Do let us know on our X account.