Gurman Predicts 3rd-Gen iPhone Duo Will Add Face ID and Telephoto Camera
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple aims to incorporate Face ID and a dedicated telephoto camera into the 3rd-generation iPhone Duo foldable phone. Apple plans to overcome severe physical thickness limits by pairing miniaturized sensors with advanced AI and computational processing. Foldable smartphones face tight internal space constraints, often forcing manufacturers to compromise on camera zoom capabilities and advanced biometric hardware. If successful, Apple's approach of using computational AI to compensate for smaller physical sensors could establish a new design paradigm for ultra-thin mobile hardware. The first-generation iPhone Duo measures only 5.2mm thick when unfolded, utilizing a side-mounted Touch ID button and a dual-camera system. Gurman notes that Apple's hybrid AI and hardware facial recognition approach may first be previewed in an upcoming smart home hub.
## BACKGROUND
Face ID relies on a TrueDepth sensor array that requires physical depth to project and read infrared dot patterns for 3D facial mapping. Meanwhile, telephoto cameras often utilize folded periscope lens mechanisms, which also require notable internal depth to achieve optical magnification.