Apple Plans to Improve Safari Design for iPhone Duo Outer Screen
Limited Workspace
One of the primary drawbacks of Apple’s new foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, which has been noted by both users and technology experts, is the Safari browser interface. The issue stems from the 5.4-inch outer screen, where browser control buttons occupy too much space, leaving a very narrow area for viewing web pages.
Currently, the Safari control panel is positioned on the right side of the screen, which hinders content consumption. Although Apple made this design choice for ergonomic reasons to prevent buttons from obscuring content, it has proven uncomfortable in practice. Browsing on the outer screen is significantly less convenient for users than on the device's larger internal display.
Apple’s Plans for Change
With the release of Safari 27.1, Apple representative Jen Simmons officially acknowledged the problem and stated that the company is actively seeking ways to address it. The goal is to provide web developers with more freedom so they can more effectively utilize screen space that is currently considered "dead" due to the browser panels.
The company is considering allowing web pages to extend content behind the control panels. However, Apple is proceeding with caution. According to Simmons, the automatic application of existing technical standards, such as viewport-fit="cover", is problematic because many sites are not optimized for such designs, which could lead to important information being hidden.
Developer Involvement
Apple does not want to make a unilateral decision, so the company has called on web developers to share their ideas and perspectives. Apple aims to develop a solution that is simple to use while ensuring that content is displayed correctly on any type of website.
This initiative is a significant signal that Apple recognizes the specific challenges of foldable smartphones. For iPhone Duo users, this is promising, as it concerns not just a software update, but a fundamental improvement in user experience. For users who actively utilize the iPhone ecosystem, this means that browsing on mobile devices will become more flexible and visually refined in the near future.