iPhone Duo interface: Fixed sidebar limits 5.4-inch cover display
Apple's new foldable uses a mandatory side menu that occupies 15 percent of the outer screen, a design choice that differs from the open layout of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.
By Rahul Mehta ·
The fixed sidebar on the iPhone Duo's 5.4-inch cover screen occupies 15 percent of the available display area. This software constraint reduces the usable space on the device's outer screen before a user opens a single app. The iPhone Duo is Apple's first wide foldable smartphone, and the interface decision is already drawing comparison to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Allison Johnson, a reviewer for The Verge, noted that the iPhone Duo feels harder to operate with one hand than its competitor. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a taller and narrower physical shape, which makes its cover screen easier to reach across. Johnson described the outer display of the Z Fold 8 as a primary reason for its popularity among users who prefer the unique form factor.
The iPhone Duo uses a dock on the right side of the cover screen to organize navigation. This design leaves a large section of the display unused for most content. A post on X compared the two devices directly, showing that the Z Fold 8 wastes very little screen space when using navigation gestures. In contrast, the iPhone Duo's sidebar remains visible and takes up space regardless of the app in use.
Apple's interface shrinks the content area to stretch media vertically. This makes the display look similar to a standard rectangular phone. The Z Fold 8 leaves the full width of its outer screen open for main content. The difference is most visible when comparing the two devices side by side in video reviews.
The iPhone Duo is currently available for purchase, though stock is limited in many regions. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 continues to sell well and has benefited from years of software improvements by Google and Samsung. These updates have made Android more compatible with large foldable screens.
The iPhone Duo's hardware specifications are competitive with the Z Fold 8. The criticism focuses on the software implementation. The fixed sidebar is a deliberate choice by Apple to simplify navigation on the smaller display. Users who prefer gesture controls on the Z Fold 8 see a nearly full-screen experience. Those on the iPhone Duo must work within the boundaries set by the persistent side menu.
Source: 9to5Google
