iPhone Duo: Fixed sidebar blocks 15 percent of outer screen

Apple’s new foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, is facing immediate usability criticism from early reviewers. The primary complaint centers on the 5.4-inch outer display, where a fixed sidebar permanently occupies a large portion of the screen. This design choice leaves less room for actual content, affecting how comfortably the device can be used in everyday scenarios.

The sidebar acts as a permanent dock on the right side of the display. According to reviews, this layout consumes approximately 15 percent of the total screen area. Consequently, the remaining usable space for apps and media is significantly reduced compared to the full display. The design aims to stretch media to appear taller, mimicking the aspect ratio of a traditional slab phone, but it comes at the cost of horizontal width.

Allison Johnson, a reviewer for The Verge, noted that the iPhone Duo feels harder to use with one hand than its competitor. She compared it directly to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, which has a taller and narrower physical shape. The Fold 8’s cover screen is more easily navigable, a feature that has been a key selling point for users who prefer that specific form factor. The iPhone Duo’s wider shape, combined with the sidebar, complicates this interaction.

The comparison highlights a clear difference in screen efficiency between the two devices. On the Galaxy Z Fold 8, users who rely on navigation gestures experience very little wasted screen space. Even when the Fold 8 is set to use a navigation bar instead of gestures, the difference in usable area is less stark than on the Apple device. A post on Twitter/X illustrated the severe gap in available display real estate between the two phones.

Apple’s approach represents its first attempt at a wide foldable form factor. The company is trying to implement a space-saving solution by restricting the available area on the small display. While the hardware itself appears promising, the current iOS implementation leaves something to be desired. The fixed sidebar prevents users from utilizing the full width of the outer screen for main content.

The iPhone Duo is already available to the public, though its availability is currently limited. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 continues to serve as a benchmark for the category. Samsung and Google have spent years refining Android to be friendlier on large and flexible screens. Apple is now testing how its own operating system handles these specific constraints in a competitive market.