These clever apps show off the iPhone Duo’s potential
TechCrunch’s reviewer says early developer support, rather than Apple’s launch announcement, made the $2,000 iPhone Duo appealing. The foldable phone offers a new way to use familiar apps, though many mainstream iOS apps were not optimised at launch and can show black bars or awkward controls.
Netflix is highlighted as an example of an app designed around the Duo’s two displays: users can browse short-form Clips on the outer screen, then unfold the phone to continue watching on its larger inner display. The reviewer says the content adjusts automatically between screens; other launch partners include MLB, NYT Cooking, Slack and Fantastical.
In short
- Developer-made apps helped make the $2,000 foldable iPhone appealing.
- Netflix shifts from Clips on the outer display to video on the inner screen.
- Many mainstream apps still lacked Duo optimisation at launch.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Early developer support gives the iPhone Duo a practical case: apps such as Netflix can make the two displays feel like one flexible experience, moving naturally from browsing to watching. If more developers follow, the device could offer useful new ways to use familiar services and make its high price easier to justify.
The case against
The Duo’s appeal depends on developers doing work that many mainstream apps had not completed at launch, leaving some users with black bars or awkward controls. Early partner examples show what the hardware might enable, but may not reflect the everyday experience across the apps people already rely on, especially at a price of $2,000.
Explained simply
Foldable phones combine a regular outer screen with a larger screen inside, giving users more room when they open the device. The iPhone Duo is Apple’s foldable model, and its price puts it in the high end of the phone market.
Apps need to be adapted to make good use of the two screen sizes. At launch, some familiar iPhone apps were not optimised, which could leave black bars or controls in awkward places; developers who designed for the Duo aimed to make switching screens feel more natural.
Netflix is one example: its app lets people browse short video clips on the outer screen and continue watching on the larger inner screen after unfolding the phone. Other launch partners include MLB, NYT Cooking, Slack and Fantastical, showing how developers may shape what the new design is useful for.
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