Apple announced on Friday that over 100,000 apps have been built for the iPhone Duo, marking a significant software milestone for its first foldable device since the product launched on October 23, 2026.
Developers adopt the new form factor
The surge in software availability follows a period of early criticism regarding the lack of optimized applications at launch. According to TechCrunch, Apple expects thousands more optimized apps to be added to the App Store daily.
To prepare the ecosystem, Apple hosted more than 50 in-person workshops in 19 cities globally, which were attended by over 2,000 developers. Apple stated that these sessions allowed teams to experience the device firsthand to update their games and apps.
The enthusiasm has been incredible, and we’re excited to see the pace of updates continue to accelerate as more and more apps optimize for iPhone Duo,
said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, in a statement reported by INC.
App layouts vary by software integration level
While the milestone is substantial, the quality of the experience varies depending on how deeply an app has been integrated with the device’s new capabilities. Macworld reports that many popular apps are still not fully updated for the Duo, leading to inconsistent layouts.
Apps built using the iOS 27.0 SDK, such as Gmail, TikTok, and Reddit, can resize to fill most of the inner display but often fail to utilize the extra space effectively. In contrast, MakeUseOf notes that apps not yet updated to the iOS 27.1 SDK often appear in a small, iPhone-shaped window in the center of the screen, surrounded by large black bars.
I'm working on the iPhone Duo more and more every day. So, I've started collecting some of my favorite productivity apps for the Duo. There are some gems in here: https://t.co/fnBWIm35fD pic.twitter.com/SJmqYohuyo
The TechCrunch report lists several notable Duo-ready apps that have recently been released or updated, including:
- Microsoft Word and Outlook
- Zoom
- NBA and NHL sports apps
- Etsy and LTK
- Goodnotes and Extra
- Halide Mark III
Other notable apps optimized for the iPhone Duo and updated for iOS 27 include Spotify, CBS, Tubi, BBC iPlayer (U.K.), Yahoo Fantasy Sports, Sportsnet (Canada), Facebook Messenger, Google Chat, ChatGPT, Grok Bot, Microsoft Copilot, and Excel.
New multitasking features like Split View allow users to run two apps side by side for the first time on an iPhone. This allows users to perform tasks such as looking up contact details with Cardhop or planning a week next to an inbox. Apps like Xmind use a side-by-side view to show mind maps and outlines simultaneously, while WPS Office adjusts its interface and controls based on the phone's position.
Hardware specifications and pricing
The iPhone Duo is powered by an Apple A20 Pro chip. This inner screen is 50 percent larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max and 80 percent larger than the iPhone 18 Pro, according to Apple. The inner display features an under-display 4MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture, which is the first such implementation on an Apple product.
The device carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. BGR reports that the iPhone Duo’s 256 GB model starts at $1,999 in the U.S., which is $100 more than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and roughly double the cost of an iPhone 18 Pro. The device is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations.
The iPhone Duo supports up to 60W wired charging. Testing using a MacBook Pro charger and a 60W Apple USB-C cable showed the device reaching a 43% charge in 15 minutes and 68% after 30 minutes, though thermal constraints may prevent it from sustaining peak speeds.
| Model Configuration | Starting Price (U.S.) |
|---|---|
| 256 GB | $1,999 |
| 2 TB | $3,199 / £3,199 |
iPhone Duo availability and repairs
The iPhone Duo became available starting Friday, October 23. It was to be available in 28 other countries and regions beginning Friday, October 30.
The device is also noted for its nano-texture screen, which supports a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness.
Common questions about iPhone Duo software
Which apps currently show black bars on the screen?
How can I identify apps that are optimized for the Duo?
According to Apple, apps optimized for the device can be identified by a Made for iPhone Duo badge on their product pages within the App Store.
Earlier coverage: Apple Says iPhone Duo Shipping Delays Will Extend Into Next Year