Apple is exploring ways to fix one of the most talked-about annoyances of the iPhone Duo: Safari on the foldable's 5.4-inch outer display leaves websites an unusually narrow strip of space because of the browser's right-aligned controls. The admission came from Apple's Jen Simmons in a WebKit blog post detailing what's new in Safari 27.1, first reported by 9to5Mac.
The issue was singled out in multiple iPhone Duo reviews, including 9to5Mac's own, which called Safari on the cover screen awkward because the web simply isn't built for this form factor. It matters because the outer screen is what most owners will use most of the time — and right now it makes everyday browsing feel cramped.
Why Apple isn't just enabling viewport-fit="cover"
Simmons said websites currently can't extend behind the controls on the outer display, and that Apple is looking into giving web designers more creative use of that space — for example, letting a site's header background run across the full width.
The obvious fix, the HTML viewport meta tag with viewport-fit="cover", is riskier than it looks. Many websites don't account for those edge areas, so content could end up hidden behind Safari's controls. Apple says it is investigating something more foolproof and easier for developers to use, and has invited web developers to send in ideas.
iPhone Duo launch week: repair guides and early problems
The Safari work is only one thread of a busy launch week. Apple also published official repair manuals for the iPhone Duo, with step-by-step instructions for replacing individual components, plus safety guides for broken glass and battery work. Genuine parts for the device aren't available in the Self Service Repair Store just yet.
Meanwhile, early buyers have reported cracked inner displays within hours of receiving the $1,999 foldable, according to Notebookcheck. One owner claims the screen failed after fewer than 20 folds, though the extent and cause of the reported failures remain unknown.
