Apple Plans Larger iPhone Duo Screens and Telephoto Lenses for Future Models

Apple is planning incremental hardware upgrades for its upcoming foldable iPhone Duo lineup, including slightly larger screens and potential camera improvements. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, these changes will roll out in future generations of the device rather than the current model.

In plain English

The iPhone Duo is Apple’s foldable smartphone that opens like a book. The current model features a 7.6-inch folding display. Gurman indicates that the next major iteration, the iPhone Duo 3, expected in 2028, will increase this inner screen size. The increase is marginal, described as roughly half an inch. This would place the inner screen in the high seven-inch to very low eight-inch range. It will not reach eight-and-a-half or nine inches. The outer screen size will not change significantly. Gurman compares this gradual sizing approach to how Apple increased the iPhone Pro Max line from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches in recent years.

The background

Gurman shared these details on his Power On podcast, citing information from sources close to Apple’s development process. For the iPhone Duo 2, which is closer to release, Apple is testing models with Face ID under the outer display. The company is also exploring ways to add an Action button to the device. These features aim to improve the usability of the foldable form factor. The iPhone Duo isn’t yet available in stores.

What changes now

For the iPhone Duo 3, the primary change is the slight increase in screen real estate. This addresses user demand for larger displays without drastically altering the device’s portability. Additionally, Apple is considering adding a telephoto camera to future Duo models. Gurman stated that this feature is “on their list,” but timing is uncertain. He noted that implementing a telephoto lens is difficult due to physics, specifically the depth required for the lens assembly. It is not a cost issue but a mechanical constraint.

Key terms explained

Foldable displays use flexible OLED panels that bend without breaking, allowing devices to fold in half. Telephoto lenses are camera optics that magnify distant subjects, providing optical zoom without losing image quality. Face ID uses infrared cameras and dot projectors to map facial features for secure authentication. Teams usually evaluate whether these hardware additions compromise device thickness or battery life. Check whether your current workflow requires optical zoom or larger screens before upgrading.

What to do and how to stay safe: Apple

• Review your current device’s screen size to determine if a marginal increase of half an inch would impact your productivity or media consumption.
• Monitor official Apple announcements for confirmation of the iPhone Duo 2 release date and specific feature sets like the Action button.
• Assess whether optical zoom is a critical requirement for your photography needs, as telephoto lenses may not appear until the 2028 model.
• Wait for independent reviews of the new Face ID implementation to verify performance reliability under the outer display before upgrading.

General security guidance from the Vector Update newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

When will the iPhone Duo 3 be released?

Mark Gurman looks further out to a 2028 third-gen model.

Will the iPhone Duo 3 have a much larger screen?

No, the inner screen will increase by roughly half an inch, placing it in the high seven-inch to very low eight-inch range.

Is Apple adding a telephoto camera to the iPhone Duo?

Yes, a telephoto camera is on Apple’s list for future models, but Gurman says it is difficult to implement due to physics.