iPhone Duo Sidebar Leaves 15% Of Screen Empty

Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, is drawing criticism over how its software uses the 5.4-inch cover display. Allison Johnson, writing for The Verge, reported that a sidebar placed on the right side of the screen to aid navigation leaves a substantial portion of the display unused. This design choice reduces the area available for other content.

The sidebar occupies about 15 percent of the cover screen, a figure that has been cited in discussions of the device's interface. By comparison, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 does not implement such a sidebar. The source material states that on a Galaxy Z Fold 8 configured to use navigation gestures, there is very little wasted screen space. A Verge video comparing the two devices shows the difference, though it notes the Fold 8 was set to use a navigation bar instead of gestures for that demonstration.

Johnson's review also noted that the iPhone Duo feels harder to operate with one hand than the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The source attributes this difference to the Fold 8's taller and narrower physical dimensions, which make its outer screen easier to navigate. The iPhone Duo's cover display measures 5.4 inches.

The sidebar is part of Apple's approach to managing content on a small screen. The source explains that by shrinking the space allowed, media is stretched to appear taller, similar to a slab-style phone. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, by leaving space free for main content, is presented as an alternative method.

Apple has made the iPhone Duo available, though the source notes its distribution is limited. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 continues as a successful product for Samsung. The criticism of the iPhone Duo's interface is based on second impressions of the device, including the review by Allison Johnson.