Why doesn't my friend's iPhone 6 messages app show contact icons?

[iMore Question]

My friend's iPhone 6 messages app doesn't show contact icons

HE has the circular thumbnails in contacts, but they don't show to left of his conversation list in messages like they do on my iPhone 6.

 

[Just_Me_D]

Re: My friend's iPhone 6 messages app doesn't show contact icons

Is your friend viewing the messages in landscape mode?