How iPhone Duo will improve your group selfies

It was inevitable that Apple would tout every new camera trick with the iPhone Duo, even though Samsung and others have been doing similar things for years. One thing we didn’t expect was how difficult it would be to look at group selfies. Its September event devoted at least a minute or two to the topic – which may not seem like much, but given that the Duo was just one product on the list, it says a lot about what Apple thinks it’s selling.

This deserves some attention, as iPhone owners have had relatively little flexibility in group selfies until now. Even on the iPhone 18 Pro, the Center Stage front camera is limited to 18 megapixels. You can get 48 megapixels with one of the rear cameras, but of course these aren’t ideal for those group photos you need to take part in. At most, you can find something to put your phone on, frame the photo, and hope your timer lasts long enough for you (and everyone else) to strike a good pose.

The Duo, shipping October 23, aims to correct these flaws with the combination of a foldable form factor and a few new iOS 27 features. It’s questionable how often people will actually take advantage of it, especially with a $2,000 price of entry – but it’s a glimpse into the future of iPhone photography.

The ability to install an iPhone Duo and use the 48-megapixel rear cameras shouldn’t be undersold. While 18 megapixels – or just 12 on the Duo’s internal Center Stage camera – is sharp enough, more megapixels can result in sharper images or extra space for cropping. More importantly, it’s still the rear sensors where Apple puts the best of its technology in terms of low-light sensitivity and focus tracking. Indeed, one of the small improvements touted by the company is “smart” focus tracking, effectively a rebranding of the standalone focus-lock cameras that have been around for some time. Once you tap on a subject, the Duo’s AI systems will track it and adjust focus on the fly, even if it temporarily leaves the frame.

There’s a connection between this and the centerpiece of Apple’s group selfie features: Smart Take. In theory, at least, this eliminates the need for timers to detect movement. When triggered, Smart Take automatically takes a photo every time everyone freezes for a moment, the assumption being that they’ve adopted a new pose. This seems likely to take as many bad shots as good ones, given that people may have their eyes closed or waiting for direction. Still, it’s a welcome alternative to selecting a timed dose, checking the results, then rinsing and repeating.

You can find the Smart Take option in the extended settings menu of the Camera app. Since iOS 27 finally lets you customize app controls, tap the icon circles button in the lower right corner, then To modify – you should also be able to have a Smart Take button permanently available, if you find yourself regularly taking group selfies. Naturally, this is also useful for solo selfies; it’s just that coordinated group photos are often the most difficult, as any professional wedding photographer knows.

The other big software addition is Duo Preview. When activated during a shoot, this displays a real-time preview on the front screen, allowing subjects to see themselves and make their own pose adjustments. Expect this to be a double-edged sword. Some people will inevitably screw things up or do what they think will work instead of what you actually want. Still, it’s undeniably a step forward, to the point that some candybar iPhone owners may feel a little jealous.

Apple’s first-generation foldable selfies have some flaws, starting with the lack of a telephoto lens. Certainly, most group photos are best taken with a wide or even ultra-wide lens. However, one of the main rules of good composition is to fill the frame with your subject(s). Sometimes you may not be able to seat your Duo close enough for this to happen.

Another problem concerns handheld selfies. You’re encouraged to open the Duo completely and flip it around to get those 48-megapixel cameras, but the grip required feels a bit fiddly, mainly because of the thin bezels of the front screen. It can be difficult to get a good grip without accidentally triggering the touchscreen controls. To Apple’s credit, however, this mode automatically brings all controls in the Camera app to the foreground, so no blind shooting is involved.

A big concern for some people taking group selfies might be the vulnerability of a Duo left alone. In addition to the risk of theft, it will be necessary to see how stable the Duo is in real situations. At 8.96 ounces, it’s light enough to be knocked over by the wind or a nearby bump. Meanwhile, Apple’s idea that some group photos should be taken with the front screen touching the ground will likely be a failure for many users, unless you buy a case that creates a protective lip. The Duo’s Ceramic Shield 2 glass may be scratch-resistant, but no display is scratch-resistant.