Apple made fun of Android apps on foldables, but iPhone Duo has the same problem [Gallery] - 9to5Google

**Apple’s Foldable Debut Draws Irony and Criticism Over App Compatibility**

Apple’s much‑anticipated entry into the foldable market arrived on Tuesday with the launch of the iPhone Duo, the company’s first device featuring a hinge‑based dual‑screen design. The unveiling, held alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, highlighted the Duo’s “dynamic island” continuity, seamless multitasking, and a new iOS 18 adaptation that promises to treat the two screens as a single, fluid canvas. In India, the Duo is priced at ₹1,34,999 for the base model, with availability slated for the end of September through Apple’s official stores and authorized resellers.

The excitement, however, was tempered by a wave of online memes and user backlash after Apple’s marketing campaign took a jab at Android foldables, suggesting that many Android apps “don’t play nicely” on split screens. Ironically, early hands‑on reviews and social‑media posts quickly surfaced screenshots showing the iPhone Duo grappling with the same issues: several popular Android‑originated apps, now running on iOS via the App Store, displayed truncated UI elements, misaligned buttons, or forced portrait orientation when opened across the two displays. Critics argue that Apple’s criticism of Android developers now reflects a broader industry challenge—optimizing applications for variable screen ratios and foldable ergonomics.

Industry analysts note that while Apple’s hardware and software integration typically sets a high bar, the Duo’s launch underscores the growing pains of a nascent form factor. Developers are being urged to adopt responsive design practices, leveraging iOS 18’s new “Foldable Kit” APIs that promise more granular control over layout adjustments. As the market watches how quickly both Apple and third‑party developers can resolve these teething problems, the iPhone Duo’s commercial success may hinge less on its novelty and more on the ecosystem’s ability to deliver a truly seamless foldable experience.