The iPhone Duo launches this Friday, but it’s missing one feature that could make a big difference for people with smaller hands. That feature is Reachability, and many Android phones already offer it through built-in one-handed modes.
According to 9to5Mac, Apple plans to add Reachability to the iPhone Duo later this year. The detail comes from WIRED’s iPhone Duo review, which says the feature will let people reach the left and right edges of the screen more easily with a tap.
That’s a different take on Reachability than what we’ve seen before. Apple first introduced the feature with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus back in 2014, when iPhones started getting bigger. Today, you swipe down on the bottom of the screen, and the interface slides down so you can reach the top. On the iPhone Duo, Reachability will reportedly work horizontally instead, bringing content in from the sides.
Why the iPhone Duo needs Reachability
The iPhone Duo’s displays are wider than on any other iPhone. Its outer display is 5.4 inches, while the inner display measures 7.6 inches. That extra width makes it harder to reach the opposite edge of the screen with one hand.
There’s another issue too. 9to5Mac’s own review found that the Duo’s interface clearly favors right-handed use. So if you’re left-handed, or just have smaller hands, reaching buttons on the far side of the screen can be a stretch. A horizontal version of Reachability should help with that.
The timing is a little disappointing, though. Apple only says the feature is coming “later this year,” so it likely won’t arrive with iOS 27.2 next week. That means anyone who pre-ordered and gets their Duo on Friday will have to live without it for at least a few weeks.
It’s also a reminder that this is Apple’s first foldable. Samsung, Google, and other Android phone makers have had years to refine their foldable software, while Apple is still filling in the gaps. On the bright side, Apple is moving quickly. Apple Pencil support is also arriving sooner than expected with iOS 27.2.
If you’ve been holding off on the iPhone Duo until the software catches up, this is a good sign. At $1,999, though, I’d expect it to feel finished on day one. Features like Reachability should have been ready at launch, not added later.
The post iPhone Duo Will Get Reachability Later This Year, but Not at Launch appeared first on Android Headlines.
