Apple is adding a personal touch to the iPhone Duo launch, letting customers who buy the $1,999 foldable at a US Apple Store see their name on the screen when they turn it on for the first time.
The in-store personalization feature replaces the familiar “Hello” startup greeting with a customized message, such as “Hello, [Your Name].”
Apple Store employees will set up the greeting before handing over the device, with support for English and Spanish.
A little something extra for Apple Store shoppers
The feature will be exclusive to the iPhone Duo and available at US Apple retail stores when the device launches on October 23.
It’s unclear whether customers who order online and select in-store pickup will also qualify. Apple hasn’t announced plans to extend the personalized greeting to other iPhone models.
The customization adds a small element of ceremony to what will already be an unusual iPhone launch. The Duo is Apple’s first foldable smartphone, featuring a 5.4-inch outer display that opens into a 7.6-inch screen.
At $1,999, it’s also Apple’s most expensive iPhone, making the retail experience another opportunity to distinguish the device from the rest of the lineup.
The personalized startup screen gives buyers a moment tailored specifically to them, although it’s a one-time experience rather than an ongoing software feature.
iPhone Duo preorders begin October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific, with availability starting October 23.
