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Face ID is a high priority for Apple in the second iPhone Duo, and prototypes with it already exist. However, because the hardware specifications for the successor are now being finalized, it remains to be seen whether facial recognition will ultimately be included. The Duo is also expected to feature an action button for the first time, though not in the way many anticipate.
The iPhone Duo has been available since October 23rd and uses Touch ID in the side button instead of Face ID. It lacks an action button, but camera controls are included. Apple's work on a successor with Face ID has been known since the end of October.
What's new is the time pressure. According to the latest edition of Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter at Bloomberg, Face ID is a high priority for the device, but Apple is running out of time to bring the technology to the second generation.
Key Takeaways
- Face ID is a high priority for the iPhone Duo 2; prototypes with it already exist.
- Because the hardware of the successor is currently being finalized, it is unclear whether Face ID will be ready in time.
- The Duo 2 is expected to get an action button, possibly combined with the camera controls.
- According to reports, Apple is planning a telephoto camera and a thinner and lighter casing for the next generations.
Face ID under the outer display
According to reports, Apple has already built prototypes of the iPhone Duo 2 with Face ID. Engineers are still working on integrating the system into the outer display, i.e., the screen used when the phone is folded.
The bottleneck is the timeline. The successor is being developed internally under the codename V78 and is slated for release this fall. This means Apple needs to finalize the hardware specifications around now. Gurman says it's uncertain whether Face ID will still be included, but he doesn't rule it out either.
The action button should be integrated into the camera controls
Furthermore, according to the report, Apple plans to give the iPhone Duo 2 an action button, possibly combined with the camera controls rather than as a separate button. The report does not specify exactly how this will work.
The idea isn't new: In early November, a leaker claimed that Apple planned to integrate the action button into the camera controls on the new iPhone models starting in the second half of 2027. A short press would still open the camera, while a long press would activate the action button function. Nothing has been confirmed.
Apple is also reportedly planning a telephoto camera and a thinner, lighter design for future generations, though the report doesn't specify which generation they will be targeting. The lack of a telephoto camera was already a point of criticism for the iPhone Duo in initial reviews.
Three reports, one direction
Expectations for Face ID have shifted significantly forward within two months.
| Date | According to the report |
|---|---|
| 13.09.2026 | Face ID and telephoto camera expected by the third generation, explicitly as a guess |
| 22.10.2026 | iPhone Duo 2 prototypes with Face ID are being tested; a shift to the Duo 3 is possible |
| 15.11.2026 | Face ID is a high priority; inclusion in Duo 2 is open because the hardware is currently being finalized |
All three figures come from Gurman. Their consistency is not independent confirmation. Gurman is among the most reliable sources for Apple's product planning, but this time he himself does not mention any trend. The new report also contains no supplier or component details.
Why the action button is the safe upgrade
Since its release, I've used the iPhone Duo as my main device, and my experience with its drawbacks compared to the Pro Max aligns almost perfectly with Apple's list. Touch ID works reliably in everyday use; only when paying with Apple Pay does the additional finger confirmation slow things down. I forgot about the action button faster than I expected, while I hardly ever use the camera controls. A single button that handles both functions would be a better solution for me than two separate ones.
I expect the action button in the Duo 2 to be more reliable than Face ID. It can be integrated into an existing physical button, while Face ID under the outer display is still under development. Apple surveyed iPhone Duo buyers in early November about the hinge, camera, and their reasons for purchase. I anticipate that these responses will come too late for the Duo 2's hardware specifications if the final details are currently being determined.
Anyone who opts for the iPhone Duo today and can live with Touch ID is currently missing out on a feature that may, but does not necessarily, arrive next fall.
Would a combined action button and camera control on the iPhone Duo 2 be enough for you – or is Face ID the only reason to wait for the second generation? Let us know in the comments which of the two new features is more important to you.
