- Apple says more than 100,000 apps have been optimised for the iPhone Duo within two weeks of its launch.
- Thousands of developers have attended workshops across 19 cities to adapt their applications for the foldable.
- Microsoft Word, Outlook, Zoom, NBA and NHL apps are among the software benefiting from larger screen optimisation.
- Some applications still need improvements, despite Apple’s new App Store collections and Made for iPhone Duo badge.
Apple’s first foldable smartphone is already making an impact on the App Store. The company has announced that more than 100,000 apps have been optimised for the iPhone Duo, just two weeks after the device officially went on sale.
The milestone highlights how quickly developers are adapting their software to Apple’s new foldable design. Thousands of optimised apps are reportedly being added every day, suggesting that developers are keen to take advantage of the device’s larger display and new possibilities for multitasking.
The iPhone Duo represents Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market, an area where Android manufacturers have already established a considerable presence. While Apple may have arrived later than its competitors, the early response from developers could give the device a strong foundation as it reaches more customers.
However, the growing number of compatible applications does not mean the transition has been completely seamless. Some users have already encountered familiar apps that have yet to make proper use of the foldable’s larger screen.
Apple celebrates rapid developer support for its first foldable
According to Apple, the App Store now features well over 100,000 applications designed specifically to take advantage of the iPhone Duo’s hardware.
Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, said the company was pleased with how quickly developers had embraced the new device.
She also highlighted the creativity and innovation demonstrated by developers, noting that thousands of optimised applications are being added to the App Store each day.
Apple has been actively encouraging developers to update their software through workshops and hands on sessions.
The company says thousands of developers attended workshops across 19 cities worldwide during the past month. These sessions gave developers an opportunity to experience the iPhone Duo firsthand and understand how their applications could benefit from its distinctive design.
The workshops appear to be part of Apple’s broader effort to ensure its first foldable smartphone launches with a strong software ecosystem.
This is particularly important because foldable devices depend heavily on software optimisation. Simply making an existing application compatible with a larger screen is not always enough to deliver a satisfying experience.
Developers need to rethink how their apps display information, organise controls and support different screen layouts.
Apple’s growing collection of optimised apps suggests that many developers are already making those adjustments.
The iPhone Duo’s larger display gives apps more room to work
One of the iPhone Duo’s biggest advantages is its expansive 4:3 inner display, which becomes available when users unfold the device.
The larger screen creates opportunities for applications to display more information simultaneously, potentially making the phone more useful for productivity, entertainment and gaming.
Microsoft Word and Outlook are among the applications that have received updates for the device.
Their redesigned interfaces reportedly resemble desktop versions more closely when viewed on the larger inner display. This could make working with documents, managing emails and navigating multiple sections more comfortable.
Zoom has also adapted its interface, using the larger display to provide a more spacious video conferencing experience.
For users who regularly attend online meetings, the additional screen space could make it easier to view participants and meeting controls without constantly switching between different layouts.
Sports fans are also getting some benefits from the foldable design.
The NBA and NHL applications have been optimised to display live games and highlights more effectively on the larger screen.
These examples demonstrate how foldable smartphones can offer more than simply a larger display. When applications are properly designed, the extra space can change how users interact with familiar software.
Productivity apps can provide more desktop like interfaces, while entertainment applications can deliver richer viewing experiences.
The challenge for developers is making sure those improvements remain useful rather than simply filling the display with additional information.
Apple highlights optimised apps, but some software still needs work
Apple is making it easier for iPhone Duo owners to discover applications that take full advantage of the foldable’s design.
The App Store now features editorial collections such as Popular Apps on iPhone Duo and Great Games on iPhone Duo.
These collections are intended to help users find applications that offer a better experience on the device’s larger display.
Apple has also introduced a Made for iPhone Duo badge on the product pages of applications that have been optimised for the foldable.
The badge should make it easier for buyers to distinguish between applications that have received dedicated updates and those that may still rely on older layouts.
However, the early experience has not been perfect for everyone.
Some iPhone Duo owners have reported that familiar applications do not yet make effective use of the inner display.
This is a common challenge for new form factors. Developers need time to test their applications across different screen sizes, identify interface problems and release updates that take advantage of the hardware.
Even with Apple’s workshops and development support, not every application will receive an optimised version immediately.
The company’s 100,000 app milestone is encouraging, but the quality of those applications will ultimately matter more than the headline number.
iPhone Duo runs iOS 27 as Apple enters the foldable market
The iPhone Duo runs iOS 27, which has been designed to work across both of the device’s displays.
Apple’s software approach is particularly important because the foldable needs to provide a consistent experience whether users are interacting with the outer screen or opening the device to access its larger inner display.
The company has entered the foldable smartphone market later than several Android manufacturers, which have already spent years developing devices with flexible displays.
That means Apple faces a different challenge from its competitors.
Rather than simply introducing a new hardware design, it needs to convince users that its foldable offers a compelling experience across applications, productivity features and everyday tasks.
The early App Store figures suggest developers are responding positively.
More than 100,000 optimised applications in just two weeks is a promising start, particularly if updates continue arriving at the current pace.
Still, the real test will be whether developers maintain that momentum and deliver meaningful improvements over time.
For Apple, the iPhone Duo’s success will depend on more than its hardware. A strong collection of well optimised applications could help distinguish the device from competing foldables and make the larger display genuinely useful.
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