Apple unveiled its first foldable phone this week, the iPhone Duo, and it carries a price tag of $1,999 for the 256 GB model when it launches October 23. The headline feature is the fold, but the conversation online is all about something smaller: where the buttons sit. When the phone is folded, the Touch ID sensor and Camera Control button are both on the right edge, making one-handed use natural for right-handed folks and clumsy for everyone else.
A MacRumors poll found nearly half of voters saying the phone’s handedness will greatly impact them, and forum users pointed out that the inside screen’s interface placement leans heavily to the right too. About 10.6% of people favor their left hand for motor tasks, according to a 2022 NIH study, which adds up to millions of potential buyers who may find a flagship phone awkward to hold. Critics are comparing it to 2010’s iPhone 4 antenna controversy, when Apple’s response amounted to telling customers they were holding it wrong.
Some users expect Apple to address the issue through accessibility settings, and lefties are famously good at adapting. Still, at this price point, adapting feels like something the phone should do for you. So we want to know: are you left-handed, and does this change how you feel about the iPhone Duo? Sound off in the comments.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
