Mark Gurman said prototypes of Apple’s second‑generation iPhone Duo already include Face ID implemented beneath the outer display, and the company is testing the hardware for a successor expected next fall though it has not decided whether the feature will ship.
iPhone Duo testing and timeline
Gurman discussed the work on his “Power On” podcast, describing Apple’s tests of under‑display facial authentication for a follow-up model. The company has not finalized the decision to ship Face ID on that successor, which is reported to be targeted for next fall.
Design constraints and current model differences
The first‑generation iPhone Duo relies on a fingerprint sensor embedded in its side button, similar to the iPad. Its thin design leaves limited space for the depth‑sensing components that Face ID requires, creating the engineering challenge Apple is working to overcome.
Gurman said the prototype report represents a more concrete development of an earlier prediction from September, when he suggested that smaller components and advances in artificial intelligence could allow Apple to add Face ID and a dedicated telephoto camera by the third generation. He also said Apple is considering adding an Action button to a future iPhone Duo model; that feature is noticeably absent from the current device.
The first iPhone Duo launches tomorrow with a starting price of $1,999.
