Apple's iPhone Duo launch pushes users toward $249 in extra gear

The first foldable iPhone is on store shelves.

Apple’s new device, the iPhone Duo, arrived this week with a feature set that demands additional hardware for full use. The most notable gap involves the Apple Pencil, which works with the phone for the first time in the company’s history. Users can write on both the outer and inner displays, a capability Apple says was designed around the proportions of a standard A-series notebook. The feature is not active out of the box. It arrives next week in the iOS 27.2 update, and it is compatible only with the Apple Pencil (USB-C). The stylus is currently priced at $69, a drop from its standard $79 tag.

Charging speed is another area where the box does not include the necessary equipment. The phone can reach 50 percent charge in roughly 20 minutes, but only with a high-wattage adapter. The package contains a USB-C cable and no power brick. To achieve that speed, buyers need a compatible charger. Recommended options include Apple’s 40W Dynamic Power Adapter, which supports up to 60W and is listed at $34, or an Anker 100W USB-C charger with a five-foot cable for $29.

For drivers and mobile workers, the device’s larger screen changes how accessories are utilized. A MagSafe car mount from ESR, priced at $19, allows the phone to clip to an air vent while CarPlay displays maps on the car’s dashboard. The writer notes that this setup allows Apple Maps to show step-by-step directions on the phone’s larger display simultaneously. Case options range from third-party models like the $29 SPIDERCASE Magnetic Case to Apple’s own $129 iPhone Duo Folio with Kickstand.

The new hardware also expands the utility of StandBy mode. When the phone is propped upright, it can display smart home interfaces even without charging. Two specific views, Home Camera and Home Modular, provide access to connected devices. This feature is particularly useful for monitoring security cameras. Recommended HomeKit-compatible options include the Aqara G100 2K camera at $39 and a eufy 4K model at $69. As a general recommendation for audio, AirPods Pro 3 are cited at a discounted price of $199, down from $249, for their noise cancellation capabilities.

The total cost of these recommended add-ons, including the stylus, charger, car mount, case, and camera, reaches approximately $249. This sum is separate from the cost of the iPhone Duo itself. The device is available now, with the software update for stylus support expected in the coming week.