The Vergecast · Thursday, October 1, 2026
A listener proposed an iPhone Fold (now iPhone Duo) with an e-ink screen on the inside, allowing for a book-like reading experience. While the idea is appealing, the hosts noted that Apple's current design aims for app continuity with a similar aspect ratio to the outer screen, requiring a high refresh rate color display, which e-ink currently cannot provide effectively for media consumption.
“What if Apple, instead of putting their typical screens on the inside, putting e-ink on the inside? And that would give it a different format so that, you know, you would still have the same old iPhone on the outside.”
“I love your idea. I think we would all love a device that has more e-ink in it. And in particular, you know, Apple made the inside screen of the iPhone Fold the same aspect ratio as the outside.”
“The inner screen being ink would be sick. I think we're all like, I want it to be a book. I want it to be this. The problem is that because they want the continue on feature to be such a core part of the phone, with it being the same aspect ratio on the outside and the inside, they kind of have to make it a high refresh rate color screen.”
“And watching a YouTube video, you know, on the inside of the phone, not going to be great on an e-ink screen.”