iPhone Duo sidebar eats into 5.4-inch screen space
Early reviews compare the new Apple foldable to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and point to unused pixels on the cover display.
By Luana Sato ·
5.4 inches of screen space on the iPhone Duo is partially consumed by a mandatory sidebar, according to early user reports. The device is Apple’s first wide foldable, and critics argue that the software design limits the utility of the outer display. The issue centers on the placement of the dock on the right side of the screen, leaving a large section of the panel unused.
Allison Johnson of The Verge noted in a recent review that the iPhone Duo feels harder to use with one hand compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. The Fold 8 has a taller and narrower physical profile, which makes its cover screen easier to navigate. This difference is a major factor for users who chose the Samsung device specifically for its unique outer screen experience.
The core complaint involves the iOS layout on the small display. Apple implemented a sidebar to aid navigation, but the design choice reduces the available area for main content. On the Galaxy Z Fold 8, users who employ navigation gestures have very little wasted screen space. The Android system on the Fold 8 leaves the full width of the display open for apps.
A video from The Verge showed the Galaxy Z Fold 8 set to use a navigation bar instead of gestures. This setting makes the difference in screen usage less obvious. However, for the majority of users who rely on gestures, the Samsung phone utilizes the entire outer display effectively. The iPhone Duo shrinks the allowed space to stretch media vertically, mimicking the look of a standard slab device.
The strategy behind the iPhone Duo sidebar is a space-saving solution intended to make a small display appear more functional. By restricting the width, Apple attempts to make media look taller. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 offers a counter-argument, demonstrating that leaving the space free for primary content works well in practice.
The iPhone Duo is currently available but with limited stock. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 continues to gain traction for Samsung. Early impressions suggest that while the hardware of the iPhone Duo is promising, the initial iteration of iOS on the foldable form factor has room for improvement in terms of usability and screen efficiency.
