Apple is facing criticism following the release of its new foldable iPhone Duo, with numerous users taking to social media platform X to voice concerns about its usability for left-handed individuals. Some users claim the design effectively renders the device "pretty much unusable" for approximately 10% of its potential customer base.
Complaints center on the device's controls and overall design, which some left-handed users report are not accommodating. One user stated on X, "Just realized that the iPhone Duo isn't going to work for me since the controls are for right handed operation. I'm a phone in the left pocket, keys in the right pocket kind of guy."
Another user shared, "I liked the new iPhone Duo. It looks great and fancy in many aspects. Though, this phone is pretty much unusable for me. Simple Reason: I'm a left–handed person."
While the iPhone Duo is slated for release next month, these early criticisms suggest Apple may have overlooked a significant portion of its market. The company has not yet publicly responded to the user complaints regarding the iPhone Duo's accessibility for left-handed users. Historically, Apple has introduced features aimed at improving user experience and device management, such as those in iOS 12 designed to help users manage screen time, which were implemented following shareholder concerns about smartphone addiction.
Apple's product history includes innovations such as the first PC for the mass market, the Apple II in 1977, and the introduction of the iPhone in 2007, which revolutionized mobile technology. The company has also diversified its product line with devices like the iPod, iPad, Apple Watch, and HomePod. In 2024, Apple began integrating artificial intelligence features with the release of Apple Intelligence.