iPhone Duo Sidebar Takes 15 Percent of 5.4-Inch Cover Screen
Apple’s fixed dock consumes a large portion of the device’s outer display, a design choice that contrasts with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 layout.
By Andrew Fletcher ·
The iPhone Duo features a permanent sidebar that occupies roughly 15 percent of its outer display.
Apple introduced this fixed dock on the right side of the 5.4-inch cover screen to simplify navigation. The design intent was to make the small display easier to manage. However, the placement of the dock leaves a substantial section of the screen unused. Users who want to view content on the outer screen face a reduced canvas compared to the physical size of the glass.
Allison Johnson of The Verge noted that the iPhone Duo feels harder to use with one hand than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. The Fold 8 has a taller and narrower body, which makes its cover screen more accessible. Johnson also pointed out that the iPhone Duo’s sidebar restricts the usable area of the small display. A post on X showed a visual comparison between the two devices. The side-by-side view made the difference in wasted screen space obvious.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 handles the outer screen differently. The device allows users to choose between a navigation bar and gesture controls. When the navigation bar is enabled, the bottom of the screen is occupied by the interface. However, for users who rely on gestures, there is very little wasted screen space. The main content area remains open and unobstructed.
Apple’s approach attempts to save space by shrinking the available area. This method stretches media to appear taller, similar to the layout on a standard slab phone. The goal is to create a familiar experience for users coming from traditional iPhones. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 demonstrates an alternative path. It leaves the space free for primary content instead of forcing a fixed interface element onto the display.
The iPhone Duo is available now, though its distribution is limited. Samsung continues to sell the Galaxy Z Fold 8 as a successful model. The contrast between the two devices offers a direct comparison of how different software approaches handle the same hardware challenge. The iPhone Duo’s sidebar is a fixed element that cannot be removed. Users must accept the reduced display area as a core part of the design.
Source: 9to5Google
