iPhone Duo's App Problems Put Huawei's Wide-Screen Phones in Focus

Apple's first foldable iPhone has an impressive display, but its software still needs work. A recent hands-on comparison found that several popular apps make better use of large screens on Huawei devices. On the iPhone Duo, some apps instead appeared in narrow windows with large black bars around them.

The comparison was shared on Weibo as the iPhone Duo went on sale in China on October 23. It highlights a problem that could affect Apple's first foldable beyond its hardware. A large display is only useful when apps can take full advantage of it.

Chinese tech blogger Wu Xiaojie WJie tested several frequently used apps on the iPhone Duo and Huawei foldable phones. According to a report from Sina, Huawei devices displayed apps in layouts with multiple columns and side-by-side sections.

The iPhone Duo showed a different result. Many apps opened in narrow portrait windows at the center of the inner screen. This left large empty areas on both sides. The test also found problems with the Dock layout.

These issues can make the 7.6-inch display feel less useful in day to day use. Users may open a large screen expecting more content, only to see an interface designed for a regular phone.

Huawei's Pura X family includes several devices with different screen formats. The Pura X has a 6.3-inch inner display and a smaller 3.5-inch outer screen. The larger Pura X Max uses a 7.7-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch cover screen.

The Pura X View takes a different approach. It is not a foldable phone, but a regular handset with a wide 6.39-inch display. Its unusual 16:9.5 aspect ratio gives it a shape closer to a small tablet.

These devices show how Huawei is exploring wider displays across different phone designs. The comparison does not prove that every app works perfectly on every Huawei model. But it does show that Huawei's foldable software can make better use of certain apps.

Apple has already explained why some apps do not fill the iPhone Duo's inner display. Apps built with older development tools can run in a centered window with empty space around them. Developers need newer software tools to make their apps fit the foldable screen.

Apps built with the iOS 27 SDK can resize to use most of the inner display. Full support requires the iOS 27.1 SDK. That also lets apps adjust their navigation and interface elements. This means the experience depends partly on how quickly developers update their software.

Some developers have already started adding support. Early reviews also found that several popular apps received updates around the phone's launch. Still, many apps need more work before the larger display feels consistent.

The comparison does not show that Apple's foldable is a failure. It focuses on app support. Not processor speed, battery life, or the quality of its display. The iPhone Duo also offers a new form factor for Apple's ecosystem, so developers need time to adapt.