iPhone Fold to Feature iPad-Style Multitasking and Layouts

[MacRumors]

The upcoming foldable iPhone that Apple plans to debut this September will operate like a cross between an iPhone and an iPad, reports Bloomberg.

When the device is opened up, the UI will have an iPad-like layout that supports multitasking with two apps side-by-side. No iPhone to date has supported running multiple apps on the display at the same time, beyond simple picture-in-picture mode features.

Many apps will feature sidebars on the left of the display, and developers will be given tools to adapt their existing apps for the new interface.

The iPad interface makes sense because the iPhone Fold is something of an iPhone and iPad hybrid. When closed, it will resemble a traditional slab-style iPhone, but when open, it will be closer to the size of the iPad mini. Rather than a tall design, Apple is using a wider design than its competitors, and it is expected to have a 4:3 aspect ratio.

A wider display will make the iPhone Fold more useful for side-by-side apps, video watching, and similar tasks that people are used to doing with an iPad. When the iPhone Fold is closed, the outer display will look like a standard iPhone. It will display apps and it will have a hole-punch front-facing camera for selfies, but there isn't Face ID support. Instead, Apple is using a fingerprint sensor that's included in the power button. The camera area will still support Dynamic Island features for Live Activities and relevant notifications even though there's no TrueDepth system.

Apple did test a camera that was underneath the inner display, but it produced poor images compared to the hole punch version, so Apple opted for a visible camera. The rear area will have dual cameras, but no triple-lens camera system because of space constraints.

Though the iPhone Fold will have a display with some features that are also available on the iPad, it will run iOS, not iPadOS. It will not support the full range of multitasking features that are available on the iPad, and it won't run existing iPadOS apps.

Apple plans to price the iPhone Fold somewhere around $2,000, and it will be the most expensive iPhone in the 2026 lineup.

Article Link: iPhone Fold to Feature iPad-Style Multitasking and Layouts

 

[Koni17]

I actually don't mind the wider form factor if it's still pocketable. This might become the ultimate media consumption travel companion on the market.

 

[AppleFan91]

I hate that this will *most likely* be a feature exclusive to the iPhone Fold, yet there’s absolutely zero reason the Pro and Pro Max can’t do this too.

 

[magamo]

It's got everything I want, except the price tag. Just like the Studio Display XDR.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

jesus I hope so lol

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

It's got everything I want, except the price tag. Just like the Studio Display XDR.

same for me , but with the koenigsegg One:1 ...

 

[Pudlo]

2000$ for a phone with no AI at all and some stupid uneducated Siri in 2026 LOL 🤣

 

[SilmarilFinder]

That’s a feature I’ve been waiting for for some time.

Still on the Pro Max size I don’t see why some form of split screen isn’t already a thing during landscape mode. Apparently we need a folding phone before Apple considers letting two apps exist at the same time.

 

[hokuspokus]

I really like the idea of combining my iPad Mini and iPhone into a single device. Although the rumored price will price me out.

*Edit
Missed the part that it won't run iPad apps. This makes the foldable a lot less interesting to me.

 

[HouseLannister]

So no split-screen on the outer display? And if I am split-screen on the inner display and close it, am I back to the homescreen or am I in the left app or what? And just side-by-side isn't very iPad-like anymore. No slide-over? Window resizing? Traffic buttons? Top menu bar?

 

[JPack]

I hate that this will *most likely* be a feature exclusive to the iPhone Fold, yet there’s absolutely zero reason the Pro and Pro Max can’t do this too.

How exactly would you run two apps side by side on Pro Max?

 

[Mity]

FaceID!!!

 

[groove-agent]

This product had me excited until I read it only runs iOS apps.

 

[DaSal]

I bet this will use the old iPadOS 18 style multitasking that is super smooth and intuitive. While iPad users are now stuck with the horribly janky and terrible iPad OS 26 style multitasking.

 

[contacos]

For the love of God, please add a quick panel to iOS already 😭 one of the amazing things on Android that Apple needs to copy, especially for a foldable.

This is what I talking about btw:

Quick Swipe from the right from anywhere and you can quickly open an favorited or most used app without always going back to the home screen or interrupting what you are doing.

Floating app bubbles would also be nice, especially for messaging apps:

One can dream or like in my case, use both OS 😅

 

[Nautilus007]

This product had me excited until I read it only runs iOS apps.

Apple can never release something fully baked anymore...

 

[Kylo83]

Bring side my side apps to iPhone 17 max like android has had for years

 

[JPack]

Still on the Pro Max size I don’t see why some form of split screen isn’t already a thing during landscape mode. Apparently we need a folding phone before Apple considers letting two apps exist at the same time.

Because of obvious physical limitations.

Split screen in landscape would be 3"x3" for each app. The moment you bring up the keyboard, 1/3 of that real estate is gone. Would anyone seriously work in a 2"x3" window? Of course not.

 

[Will Tung]

I'd love this to support video out to an external monitor. Now that we know the Macbook Neo can do it!

 

[Kylo83]

Why make the phone wider but smaller in height, make it same height as pro max and wider as well or it will feel weird

 

[Premium1]

I hate that this will *most likely* be a feature exclusive to the iPhone Fold, yet there’s absolutely zero reason the Pro and Pro Max can’t do this too.

Agree. They had it on the much smaller plus phones of old. Same with the landscape homescreen getting the axe.

 

[Royksöpp]

So it's basically an iPad chopped in half.

 

[contacos]

How exactly would you run two apps side by side on Pro Max?

On Android you can have floating Apps, which is very conventient when you just want to check your emails or answer a text without leaving the app you are fully merged in, in that moment. When you are done, you can minimize it to a tiny bubble and return to it again by just tapping on it

In my use case example I am browsing the web, quickly write something on Whatsapp and can also glance at my email inbox without actually leaving the browser. I can also quickly check the latest Instagram stories without leaving my main app that id be going back to right after anyway.

Constantly flipping between apps to do a temporary task seems inconvenient to me now after trying out Android. It disrupts my work flow. Open, close, open close, open close

 

[Elwe]

Apple clearly hasn't really poured attention into the iPad mini the way they have with other models. Lots of people love it for the size. And some of those people have lusted for an iPad mini Pro . . . something with FaceID, OLED, TB3/4/5, etc. Maybe this foldable is the better market fit answer . . . though at a serious price. Unfortunately, I'm the kind of person who would see enough there to probably pay it.

 

[Treble]

FaceID!!!

This I’m not interested until it has it then I’m all in