Netflix has unveiled an enhanced mobile experience for Apple’s iPhone Duo, introducing a more dynamic home screen, adaptable player controls and hinge-responsive visual effects to make streaming more immersive across different device positions.

The update, according to a Netflix statement yesterday, is part of the streaming platform’s broader push to develop a mobile-first experience tailored to how users watch content on their phones.

The new experience features a flexible home screen designed to deliver a big-screen feel on a mobile device. Reimagined player controls adapt to different viewing configurations, including full-screen, book, tent and tabletop positions, ensuring they remain within easy reach.

The controls also feature a subtle reflective glow that responds to the angle of the device’s hinge, adding another layer to the viewing experience.

Netflix said a seamless, frame-accurate transition between vertical and horizontal clips would be introduced soon, allowing the phone’s display to adapt instantly to the content and viewing orientation.

The changes reflect the company’s effort to make its app responsive to the ways members use their devices rather than simply replicate the television experience on a smaller screen.

Tracing the evolution of its mobile offering, Netflix said its entry into Apple’s ecosystem in 2010 was initially built around mirroring the TV experience.

The introduction of downloads in 2016 marked a turning point, allowing members to watch content during daily commutes, on trips and in places without an internet connection.

The company subsequently began exploring formats designed specifically for phones, including short-form videos and larger, phone-first Billboards.

Earlier this year, Netflix introduced simpler navigation to help members find content more quickly and debuted ‘Clips’, a personalised highlight reel featuring short excerpts from series, films and specials.

The feature is designed to help users decide what to watch or play next without endless scrolling.

Netflix said these changes reflect the growing importance of mobile viewing, with many members watching primarily or exclusively on their phones.

The company plans to expand ‘Clips’ in 2027 with themed categories and more specialised feeds organised around genres, moods and interests.

The feeds are intended to improve content discovery and help members navigate Netflix’s catalogue more efficiently.

The company said its mobile strategy would continue to evolve as new devices and capabilities emerge, extending its efforts to create an experience that adapts to members’ viewing habits.