To take advantage of the iPhone Duo, Apple is introducing new features to the Camera that are unique to the foldable iPhone.
See also: iPhone Duo vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 comparison
Smart Take
Smart Take uses artificial intelligence to determine when everyone (including the iPhone owner) is ready for a group photo, so no one has to use a timer or stand out of the frame to capture it. You can prop up iPhone Duo in a half-folded position, step into the frame, and wait for the group photo to be taken.
Kid Cue
Kid Cue feature shows little Peanuts animations for kids to look at the camera when you take a photo.
Duo Preview
With Duo Preview, the Camera app shows a live preview of your shot on both screens so the person you're photographing can make adjustments.
Duo FaceTime
Nearby friends can join a FaceTime call using the external display while the iPhone owner uses the internal display, so no one has to crowd around the iPhone or pass it around to appear in the video. Duo FaceTime is not the same as Dual Capture, which records video with both the front and rear cameras. Duo FaceTime specifically uses the external display to allow another person to join a call.
Unique Shape Features
The iPhone Duo can be used in multiple positions, including half-folded. The Duo stands on its own, so you can make FaceTime calls and record video without holding it. The folding mechanism acts as a built-in tripod and stand, so it's also useful for selfies and long exposures. You can also take selfies with the higher-quality 48MP rear camera while using the external display as a viewfinder, something you can't do with a regular iPhone.
See also: The iPhone Duo has a hidden screen setting for case compatibility
Camera Material
The iPhone Duo features a dual-camera system called “Dual Fusion” with a 48MP main camera. It’s essentially the same camera found on the iPhone 17 (not the 17 Pro), offering 24MP 26mm images by default, as well as 12MP 2x “telephoto” images at 52mm. The camera supports sensor-shift optical image stabilization, but not the second-generation version available on the Pro models. It also doesn’t support spatial photos or the ProRAW format. It also includes a 48MP Ultra Wide camera with a 13mm focal length and macro capabilities. Since there’s no telephoto lens, the iPhone Duo is limited to 2x optical zoom quality, 2x optical zoom out, and up to 10x digital zoom for stills.
Other Camera Features
Like the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the iPhone Duo supports the latest Photo Styles, which add texture and grain parameters.
Video
Smart Focus Tracking is a new feature for the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro models. It uses artificial intelligence to keep a subject in focus at all times and activates subject tracking if the subject moves out of frame and then reappears. The Duo supports 4K Dolby Vision video recording at up to 120 fps, and Cinematic for recording 4K Dolby Vision video at up to 60 fps. For the first time, Cinematic Mode effects can be added to a video after it’s taken on the Duo and iPhone 18 Pro. Apple also says there’s improved low-light video on the Duo when recording at 1080p. Time-lapse video recording with stabilization up to 4K Dolby Vision is a new option for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. It’s especially useful on the iPhone Duo because you can capture steady video without the need for a tripod.
Front Camera
The iPhone Duo's external front-facing camera is 12MP, not 18MP like the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro models. It has the same capabilities, however. The internal display has a 1080p FaceTime camera located below the display.
Missing Camera Features
Compared to the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the iPhone Duo has a more basic camera system. It lacks many features available on the Pro models.
- Telephoto lens
- Professional checks
- Apple reference image
- Variable aperture
- Second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization
- Adaptive True Tone flash
- Spatial photos and video recording
- ProRAW
- ProRes
- ProRes RAW
- Genlock
- Apple Log 2 video recording
- Studio microphone array
See also: iPhone Duo: Apple talks about "copies"
Release Date
The iPhone Duo will be available for pre-order on October 16 and will be released on October 23. Prices start at $1,999.
