Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has managed to stir up controversy before it even reaches store shelves. The horizontally folding device goes on sale October 23, with a starting price of $1,999 in the US and 229,999 TL in Turkey.

While the phone has drawn largely positive reviews, its steep price tag has also made it a target for criticism. The latest voice to join the debate is one of the industry's most recognizable figures: Nothing CEO Carl Pei.

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Pei's target: the missing Face ID

In a published video, Carl Pei said he finds it unacceptable that a $1,999 phone ships without Face ID, Apple's biometric authentication technology, and described the device as a "waste of money." The absence of the TrueDepth camera system — which Apple has included as standard on every flagship since the iPhone X — is the core of his criticism.

Although Apple has not officially confirmed the reason, the missing Face ID is said to come down to engineering constraints. The ultra-thin body, which measures just 5.2 mm when unfolded, makes fitting the TrueDepth components extremely difficult. On top of that, the dual-screen design would require separate sensors for both the inner and outer displays, and doing so without compromising thickness is reportedly impossible.

The cameras are in the crosshairs too

Security isn't the only thing bothering Pei. The iPhone Duo carries a 12 MP front camera, while the $1,199 iPhone 18 Pro offers an 18 MP selfie shooter. The device also lacks the LiDAR scanner, which makes a significant difference in night mode, and Pro controls such as aperture and shutter speed are locked down in software, limiting its camera capabilities. According to Pei, the biggest shortcoming of all is the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens.