The iPhone Duo’s foldable screens have drawn attention from IMAX because their near-square 1:1.4 aspect ratio changes the shape of a mobile viewing surface. MacRumors reported IMAX’s reaction after Apple unveiled the device. The response does not mean films will suddenly be remastered for the phone, but it highlights how display shape can influence the way video is presented.
Apple says the Duo has a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer display, with both screens using the same aspect ratio. The company designed the device so content can scale proportionally between open and closed modes. That continuity is different from a typical phone, where the screen is tall and narrow and most widescreen video leaves unused space above and below.
IMAX’s interest is understandable because cinema formats already make deliberate choices about framing. A near-square mobile panel can give vertical video, photographs and split-screen layouts more room, while conventional widescreen films may still appear with letterboxing. The screen itself cannot change the source material’s original composition. It can only provide a different canvas for software and content creators.
For viewers, the effect will depend on the app. A streaming service may keep its existing player and preserve the original frame, while another app could use the extra space for controls, subtitles or a second panel. Games may benefit from the larger open display, and social video may feel less constrained. Those are design possibilities, not guarantees for every title or service.
IMAX’s reaction should therefore be read as a signal about potential, not a promise of certification or exclusive content. Apple’s announcement concentrates on the device’s hardware and iOS experience. There is no claim that the Duo will display every film in a native IMAX format. Testing with actual apps will show whether developers use the space well or simply stretch familiar layouts.
The larger question is whether foldables can make unusual screen proportions feel normal. The iPhone Duo gives Apple a high-profile test case. If apps adapt thoughtfully, the 1:1.4 displays could become a useful advantage for viewing and multitasking. If they do not, the format may remain an impressive specification that users notice mainly when the phone is open.
