Apple previews iPhone Duo app layouts ahead of launch

Apple has added new screenshots to the App Store that illustrate how its native applications will look on the iPhone Duo, which is set to launch on October 23. The images display a mix of landscape and portrait orientations, with many apps using a split-screen layout that includes sidebars for navigation, while others occupy the full display.

In the Contacts app, the interface is divided between a list of contacts and an editing pane. Siri shows a tiled conversation view on the left and a full conversation on the right, without a traditional sidebar. The device features a vertical dock and right-hand navigation bars in both open and closed configurations, except when held vertically, where the bars shift to the bottom.

Apple notes that the unfolded vertical orientation is suited for keyboard-heavy tasks and Safari browsing. Apps such as Preview combine bottom tool palettes with sidebars, and markup tools demonstrate how drawing and photo-editing apps will utilize the larger screen area. Some apps offer widescreen views that hide navigation bars when tapped.

The Home Screen places the Today view and widgets on the left side, with app icons on the right. The status bar appears in the upper-right corner, and lock-screen shortcuts are positioned at the bottom right. The inner display lacks a permanent Dynamic Island due to the absence of Face ID, though a side-expanding Dynamic Island remains for live activities and alerts. The outer display includes a small vertical Dynamic Island that houses the camera cutout.

Apple’s screenshots suggest that apps will transition smoothly between open, closed, and various angled positions, maintaining consistent navigation button placement for a unified user experience. While the images do not yet show side-by-side app usage or multiple windows, such capabilities are expected to be supported after launch, prompting a surge of updates from third-party developers.