Side-by-side playback, adaptive layouts, and video integration signal Spotify’s push toward large-screen dominance
Spotify finally fixes the big-screen app gap
Spotify has begun rolling out a redesigned app built specifically for foldable phones and tablets, addressing a long-standing Android ecosystem weakness: poor app optimization.
The update introduces a dual-pane interface, letting users browse music while keeping playback controls visible. Think of it as turning your device into a mini desktop—why waste screen space when you can multitask seamlessly?
- Side-by-side layout for browsing and playback
- Optimized for both landscape and portrait modes
- Designed to feel “more natural” on larger displays
Adaptive UI brings desktop-like fluidity
The new design dynamically adjusts to screen orientation, showing the Now Playing screen—complete with lyrics and queue—alongside an explore sidebar.
Users can expand either section to full screen, offering flexibility without sacrificing context. Isn’t this the kind of fluid UX foldables have been promising all along?
- Persistent Now Playing panel
- Integrated lyrics and queue visibility
- Expandable sections for focused viewing
Video push gets prime placement
Spotify’s growing investment in music videos is now front and center. The update highlights a more prominent “Switch to Video” toggle, streamlining the jump from audio to visual content.
This move positions Spotify closer to YouTube’s territory—can it redefine how users consume music across formats?
- Easier transition between audio and video
- Reinforces Spotify’s multi-format strategy
Despite the redesign, Spotify retains its core navigation bar—Home, Search, Your Library, and Create—ensuring continuity across devices.
The result feels less like a new app and more like a natural extension of the smartphone experience, scaled intelligently for larger screens.
- Consistent cross-device navigation
- Unified user experience across form factors
Broader ecosystem ambitions emerge
The update is rolling out to Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Tab, and iPads, signaling a cross-platform strategy. Meanwhile, Spotify is reportedly exploring apps for Android XR smart glasses, including Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Glasses.
Recent moves—like lossless audio rollout, music videos on Samsung TVs, and a dedicated Samsung TV Plus channel—underscore a broader ecosystem play. Is Spotify quietly building a platform beyond audio?
TL;DR
Spotify’s April 2026 update brings a dual-pane, adaptive UI for foldables and tablets, enabling side-by-side browsing and playback. With enhanced video integration and consistent navigation, the redesign maximizes large screens while aligning with Spotify’s broader multi-device ecosystem strategy.
AI summary
- New dual-pane UI for large screens
- Works in portrait and landscape modes
- “Switch to Video” toggle now prominent
- Consistent navigation across devices
- Expanding into XR, TVs, and lossless audio
