According to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman, Apple is working on integrating Face ID and a dedicated telephoto lens into its future foldable iPhone Duo series. These features are currently absent from the first-generation model due to significant physical constraints imposed by the device's slim design.
The current iPhone Duo model features a thickness of only 5.2 mm when unfolded. This limited internal space prevents the inclusion of bulky depth sensors and telephoto hardware. The initial version relies on a side-mounted Touch ID button and a camera system consisting of a 48-megapixel main sensor and an ultra-wide lens.
Gurman suggests that Apple will likely resolve these technical challenges by the third generation of the foldable device. The company plans to combine hardware miniaturization with advancements in artificial intelligence and computational photography to compensate for the reduced physical component size.
Apple intends to test its new approach to facial recognition technology in an upcoming smart home hub. This implementation will serve as a preview of the methods the company plans to utilize to overcome the spatial limitations of its future foldable smartphone hardware.
