Apple Says Developers Are Rapidly Adapting to iPhone Duo
Popular apps are receiving custom features to take advantage of the new foldable display.
The arrival of new hardware is often accompanied by a shortage of software, a challenge particularly noticeable with gadgets featuring non-standard form factors. The Apple iPhone Duo is no exception. Initial reviews indicated that third-party app optimization remains inconsistent, with some programs opening only in the centre of the unfolded screen, framed by black borders. However, Apple claims the situation is changing at an unprecedented pace.
Apple states that the developer community has quickly embraced the potential of the iPhone Duo’s large screen and is actively working on app adaptation. According to company data, the device's internal screen is 50 per cent larger than that of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, creating entirely new space for multitasking, streaming, and productivity.
A New Streaming and Sports Experience
Alongside the device's official release, a special collection of updated applications will appear in the App Store. Video streaming is one of the first areas to leverage the screen's advantages.
For example, Netflix users can browse short videos on the outer screen and, upon unfolding the device, seamlessly continue watching in either vertical or horizontal format on the nano-textured internal display. Similarly, Prime Video utilizes a partially folded mode: the movie or series plays on the top half, while the bottom panel displays the cast list and additional details using the X-Ray feature. A similar expanded control panel has been added to Paramount+.
In the sports category, MLB and PGA Tour are notable. When the iPhone Duo is placed on a table in a semi-folded state, users no longer need a separate stand. According to MLB representatives, the top half of the screen is dedicated to the live broadcast, while the bottom platform shows real-time updated statistics and scores, simplifying detailed game analysis for fans.
Productivity and Multitasking
the primary value of a foldable screen lies in simplifying workflows. Apple reports that Microsoft Word and Outlook will receive desktop-level interfaces in the coming weeks. Additionally, major updates are being prepared for Zoom, Slack, and Salesforce.
In the case of Zoom, the internal screen transforms into a full-fledged conference room where shared documents and meeting participants are visible simultaneously. The Slack update will allow users to manage their entire workspace, channels, and automations on a single screen, while Salesforce users will see more expansive analytical dashboards.
Alongside major platforms, popular applications such as Fantastical, Things, Bear, Instagram, Notewise, Detail, Edits, and VLLO have already announced versions adapted to the new form factor. In gaming, Sneaky Sasquatch and Retrocade from Apple Arcade are already prepared.
What This Means for the User
From a hardware perspective, foldable devices have been on the market for several years, but their success has always depended on how quickly the ecosystem adapts to them. According to Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, interest from partners is impressive, and more adapted programs will appear in the near future.
Technology experts advise those planning to purchase or test the iPhone Duo to try the internal screen in both vertical and horizontal modes. Because third-party developers build interfaces differently, some applications offer a much more convenient workspace in horizontal orientation than in vertical.