New iPhone Duo unlocking process criticized

Users of the new iPhone Duo have expressed dissatisfaction with its unlocking method, which uses Touch ID instead of Face ID. The device features a Touch ID sensor in the side button, a change from the facial recognition technology used in previous high-end models.

Return to Touch ID after years of Face ID

Since the iPhone X in 2017, Apple has used Face ID for high-end models. The last iPhone with a fingerprint sensor was the 2022 iPhone SE. Apple claims the return to Touch ID is due to the foldable design of the iPhone Duo, which allows the sensor to function whether the phone is open or closed.

User complaints about sensor reliability and placement

Users have reported that the Touch ID sensor often fails to recognize their fingers, requiring multiple attempts to unlock the device. The placement of the sensor on the right edge of the phone has also been problematic for left-handed users, who must use the tip of their index finger to reach it.

Apple Watch can unlock the iPhone Duo

Apple has reintroduced a feature from Macs, allowing an Apple Watch to unlock the iPhone Duo without touching the side button. This feature requires the Apple Watch to be worn and activated, and some users find it as fast as Face ID. However, it has raised security concerns because the watch can unlock the phone from up to three meters away, even through walls.

Security and usability considerations

While the Apple Watch can unlock the iPhone Duo, it does not validate Apple Pay or registered passwords, which still require Touch ID. Users concerned about security can disable this feature in the Settings app. Additionally, registering a finger from each hand can help ensure the phone can be unlocked from either side, and right-handed users may benefit from registering the indentation of their index finger for faster access.