Brief

Apple says it is exploring ways to improve Safari on iPhone Duo’s outer screen

Jen Simmons announced Apple is investigating solutions for Safari’s cramped layout on the iPhone Duo’s outer display.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 24 Oct 2026 07:17:08 GMT

Apple’s web‑engine team posted on the WebKit blog that it is studying options to let sites make better use of the iPhone Duo’s outer display, which many reviewers say is cramped by Safari’s right‑aligned controls.

What happened

In Safari 27.1, the browser’s navigation bar occupies a large portion of the Duo’s 5.4‑inch cover screen, leaving a narrow area for web content. 9to5Mac cited reviewer Chance Miller, who noted the layout “eats into the usable screen real estate” and that the web is not yet optimized for the form factor.

What the reports add

Jen Simmons, a WebKit developer advocate, explained that simply using viewport-fit="cover" to extend content behind the controls could hide important elements on sites that do not account for the safe‑area inset. She said Apple is “investigating if there’s a better way to accomplish the same result — something more foolproof and perhaps easier for you to use.”

What was said

Simmons told 9to5Mac, “We would like to give web designers and developers the ability to design and use that space in more creative ways… We are investigating if there’s a better way to accomplish the same result — something more foolproof and perhaps easier for you to use.”

How it came about

The issue surfaced in early iPhone Duo reviews, including the outlet’s own coverage of the device’s launch in the UAE on Oct 23, 2026, and the “Made for iPhone Duo” badge announced on Oct 22. Apple’s focus on developer feedback follows those earlier product‑specific stories.

Key facts

Apple is exploring ways to let websites use the iPhone Duo’s outer display more fully in Safari. (9to5mac.com)
Safari’s right‑aligned controls currently occupy a large portion of the 5.4‑inch outer screen. (9to5mac.com)
Jen Simmons said using viewport‑fit="cover" could hide content on sites that don’t handle safe‑area insets. (9to5mac.com)