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The size of text and controls on the iPhone Duo is set only once. The device offers the display zoom option during setup, but it disappears from the settings afterward. I tested this side-by-side on my Duo and an iPhone 18 Pro Max.
On other iPhones such as the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the display can be switched at any time: "Default" shows more content, while "Larger Text" enlarges text and controls. On the iPhone Duo, this option is missing from the settings. It was first noticed by a user who described it in a post on Reddit.
My own device confirms the finding. This view was offered to me during setup, and I selected "Standard". I can't find a way to change it afterwards.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The display zoom option is missing on the iPhone Duo under Settings > Appearance.
- On the iPhone 18 Pro Max, it's located in exactly this position, with the options "Standard" and "Larger Text".
- The duo offers a choice during the setup process, but not afterwards.
- Text size and bold text can still be adjusted on the Duo.
What's missing in the settings
In iOS 27, the display zoom is located in Settings under "Appearance," right below Text Size and Bold Text. On the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the system describes the function as follows: "Larger Text" makes the controls larger, while "Standard" displays more content.
On the iPhone Duo, the same section ends after "Bold Text". Directly below are the accessibility options; the entry for display zoom is missing.
| Setting under "Appearance" | iPhone 18 Pro Max | iPhone Duo |
|---|---|---|
| Light, Dark, Automatic | Yes | Yes |
| Liquid Glass | Yes | Yes |
| Text size | Yes | Yes |
| Bold text | Yes | Yes |
| Display zoom | Yes | missing |
The choice is made during the setup process
The view is only offered on the iPhone Duo during the initial setup. My setup was done via Quick Start from the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the selection step appeared normally.
Anyone who wants to change the view later can currently only do so by going through the setup process. This means resetting the iPhone Duo and setting it up again, after restoring from a backup.
What remains on the iPhone Duo
The duo isn't entirely without customization options. Under "Appearance," you can adjust the text size and enable bold text. The link "More options in Accessibility settings" leads to further display assistance.
Text size only affects fonts in apps that support it. Display zoom, on the other hand, enlarges controls system-wide. Both settings are among the typical reasons why everything suddenly appears too large on an iPhone.
Who is affected by the missing option?
I suspect the absence of this feature is more of an oversight than a deliberate choice. The fact that the Duo offers the option during setup supports this. An option that the system prompts you for during setup but then disappears later makes little sense as an intentional design choice. Therefore, I expect Apple to bring the display zoom back to the settings in one of the next updates.
For me, using "Default," nothing changes in everyday use. But anyone who relies on larger controls and picked the wrong option during setup, or changes their mind later, is faced with a reset. Anyone who still has to set up the iPhone Duo should therefore make this choice deliberately. This applies especially to a device for parents or grandparents.
Which view did you choose when setting up your iPhone, and have you changed it since? Tell us in the comments whether you made a conscious decision during setup or simply clicked through the steps.
