Apple's Foldable iPhone Duo Requires New Accessories as Dimensions Differ From Standard iPhones

Apple's new foldable measures 164.6 by 117.8 by 5.2 mm unfolded, and 84.1 by 117.8 by 11.3 mm folded. Apple provides manufacturers with detailed dimensional drawings, which the report said illustrate why older fitted accessories will not work with the device.

Apple's online store offers a curated collection of approved third-party accessories that are known to be compatible, but the report described the selection as expensive. Even Apple's polishing cloth costs $9. When buying new accessories, the report said, buyers should look for products built to match the iPhone Duo's size and folding functions.

The new dimensions have led accessory makers to try different approaches. ESR's vegan leather magnetic case protects the entire phone, including the hinge mechanism, and has a movable kickstand that doubles as a lens protector. Mous offers a thin aramid case made with the same material used in body armor. While it lacks hinge protection, it adds just 1.7 mm to the 11.3 mm maximum thickness of the Duo. Spigen's cases use the iPhone's folding mechanism as a stand, while the Spigen Armor case offers more robust protection.

Protection is not only about the frame. Even if they fit, traditional tempered glass protectors will crack when the phone is snapped shut, according to the report. For the iPhone Duo, buyers should seek flexible TPU or PET film protectors designed for the foldable device. These films are less scratch-resistant than glass, but they can handle repeated folding and will not crack when the phone is closed.

Apple has promised a future software update to enable the USB-C Apple Pencil to work with the iPhone Duo. Unlike the Pencil 2 or Pencil Pro, the USB-C model has its own independent charging and pairing facility using USB-C. Supporting the other models would have required the smartphone to host an additional high-power wireless charging coil capable of external-facing power exchange, which would have added thickness, cost and weight.

The iPhone Duo supports MagSafe and 25-watt fast charging using the inbound wireless charging magnetic coils built into the rear panel, underneath the camera. This means existing MagSafe and Qi2 chargers should generally work. It also means MagSafe accessories should work, but because they are designed for traditional iPhone dimensions, they may overlap the device when connected. MagSafe batteries will charge the device, but they will also hang off the edges of the frame. Accessory makers must create new MagSafe wallets and batteries to fit the new design.

For car mounts, magnetic MagSafe or Qi2 models should generally work with the iPhone Duo. Mechanical mounts may also be compatible, depending on whether their grips can accommodate the phone's dimensions.