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iPhone Fold to Feature iPad-Style Multitasking and Layouts
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JPack
macrumors P6
What are Multi Windows and how do I use them?
FAQ for Samsung mobile. Find more about 'What are Multi Windows and how do I use them?' with Samsung Support.www.samsung.com
And if you want to try and argue semantics that this isn’t “side by side”, but top and bottom, then let us turn the pro and pro max landscape for side by side.
It can be done.
The moment you open the keyboard, the bottom app is no longer visible. It doesn't work well in practice. If you're consuming content in both windows at the same time, it might be suitable. But how often does that happen?
Overall, it's just a poor experience. It's one of those cases where, just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
Shirasaki
macrumors P6
The latest phone without AI bs in 2026? That’s a FEATURE not a bug.
chars1ub0w
macrumors 6502a
Ultimate in portability. This plus a M5 MacBook Air. Not sure which one will be the more expensive.
poorcody
macrumors 68000
Which makes me wonder if something is going to be announced at WWDC in a couple of months. Probably not the phone itself, but something about more flexible screen sizes...
Apple could have delivered a multi-window UI on iOS at any point since the iPhone was first launched. They have chosen not to do so. Some people think this puts Apple “behind” Android when in reality it’s a conscious choice. As you said, multiple windows on a tiny screen is a terrible user experience. I feel like iOS has become convoluted enough without multiple windows.
It’s a bad experience like that, but off the top of my head the app with the keyboard could move to the top portion of the screen, with a snazzy animation of course, and then move back to its location once the keyboard has been dismissed.
Not gonna lie, this is one Apple Product I’m excited for. Probably haven’t been as exited for a new Apple device as I have since the iPad or maybe the 6 Plus (I think that was the first big-screen iPhone).
I’ve used my iPad less and less over the last couple of years, so this is going to be really great for those trying to rid themselves of excess devices.
I’ve used my iPad less and less over the last couple of years, so this is going to be really great for those trying to rid themselves of excess devices.
AppleFan91
macrumors 68000
I've used it plenty on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and while I prefer the iPhone 17 Pro Max as a device - Split View/multi view works very well on the S25 Ultra, but you do you.
JPack
macrumors P6
Sounds marginally better, but I'd probably get annoyed within 30 seconds.
Watching YouTube while chatting on WhatsApp; video gets covered every 15 seconds. Taking notes during a live Zoom con-call; unable to see the presentation while typing.
jclardy
macrumors 601
They've done this plenty of times before. New screen heights (iPhone 5), new devices (iPad), multiple screen sizes (iPhone 6/6 plus), the move to the home bar. Each time there is typically "suspicious" new API's released during WWDC.
In this case though...basically everything already exists to support this. Apps already have to handle dynamic sizing for iPadOS. If they don't, they'll get an ugly border applied to shame them like they did when the iPad was first introduced. The only new thing would be some kind of display transition API and maybe something for "half folded" modes, those can be introduced when the phone comes out. They'll partner with a few "big" developers to highlight during the keynote, and then devs can scramble in the two weeks before launch to get something ready for the new device.
I was so so so excited for this. But I won’t get it until it has Face ID, 120hz display, and can use the pencil. For $2000 it needs to combine my phone and iPad into one device, at least for my use cases.
lazyrighteye
Contributor
This is starting to feel like this might be one of those Apple devices that I'm not thinking about nor wanting - until they show it off. At which time, I will not be able to stop thinking about it. 😳
Will Tung
macrumors newbie
This is exactly what I want! If I can just have my phone be an iPad mini when I want a slightly larger screen, and be able to plug in to a monitor for a basic desktop-like experience (doesn't have to be that complex, split view is good enough), that would be the dream.
Very excited about this. No FaceID is a bummer though.
My main concern is weight though.. please let it be not heavier than a 17PM.
Do you think it will support Portrait mode when unfolded?
My main concern is weight though.. please let it be not heavier than a 17PM.
Do you think it will support Portrait mode when unfolded?
Like you guys know. See the iPhone 18 Dynamic Island for example. It’s smaller… no wait it’s not smaller🤣🤣🤣
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
it’s your decision when to use split screen so don’t do it in those scenarios.
Dark_Omen
macrumors 65816
Dark_Omen
macrumors 65816
Having a pretty stupid virtual assistant on your phone definitely isn't a feature.
It's amazing how people still don't get it.
- To be able to add something to your calendar right from an e-mail on your screen, and then at the same time, add a reminder to complete something from that e-mail... That's what good AI will excel at.
- To be able to ask a question about your medication and get an accurate answer... That is good AI.
- To be able to have Gemini or Siri create a table or create formulas to save you time and a headache... That is also good AI.
- To be able to take a text message you've received and automatically have your phone's assistant add it to a calendar, and then draft an email to your colleagues about said information... That is good AI.
I guess people that don't find these features useful aren't important enough at their job to utilize these features. If that's the case, that sounds like a you problem and not a problem with AI, or the phone, or Apple, or Google. The whole point of a smart phone is to have smart, useful features that continue to advance. You should probably buy a TCL flip phone if it's too much for you.
Honestly, if the inside screen isn't scratch proof I'm not interested. With a lot of these foldables, the inside screen is a bit soft. My friend warned me his kids used their nails and made grooves all over his Samsung Fold.
ThailandToo
macrumors 65816
Apple can’t even do it right on the iPad, how are they going to do it right on smaller devices?
Eminemdrdre00
macrumors 6502a
Apple has returned from the 90s and re-opened the door to consumer confusion. Assuming all rumors are true, there are going to be too many products with too much crossover leaving consumers disoriented.
Everything they're doing is exactly why they had to bring Jobs back to fix the company. However, in that case, the company was on the verge of failure and today's Apple is in a very different position.
I don't know how to run a trillion dollar company but I know I don't like technology that takes too much time to learn and configure to suit my lifestyle. These are supposed to be portable devices that get out of the way and make living our lives easier and more pleasant. "It Just Works" is what drew me to Apple in the first place. The amount of time I have to spend disabling features and hunting for settings makes it feel like I live in a world where Windows has taken over.
There are already too many products to choose from. Now they're going to squeeze another category between two existing hot sellers. What problem are they solving?
Where does this fit between: iPad Pro 13", iPad Pro 11", iPad Air 13", iPad Air 11", iPad, iPad Mini, iPhone Pro Max, iPhone Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone, iPhone e? (That's 11)
It's too much to add something new.
It should be: iPad Pro 13", iPad 11", iPad Air 9.5", iPhone Pro 7", iPhone 6.5", iPhone Air 6". Then, maybe it could make sense to slip an iPhone Fold in the 8" slot. I still think 7 is too much - but it's better.
Everything they're doing is exactly why they had to bring Jobs back to fix the company. However, in that case, the company was on the verge of failure and today's Apple is in a very different position.
I don't know how to run a trillion dollar company but I know I don't like technology that takes too much time to learn and configure to suit my lifestyle. These are supposed to be portable devices that get out of the way and make living our lives easier and more pleasant. "It Just Works" is what drew me to Apple in the first place. The amount of time I have to spend disabling features and hunting for settings makes it feel like I live in a world where Windows has taken over.
There are already too many products to choose from. Now they're going to squeeze another category between two existing hot sellers. What problem are they solving?
Where does this fit between: iPad Pro 13", iPad Pro 11", iPad Air 13", iPad Air 11", iPad, iPad Mini, iPhone Pro Max, iPhone Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone, iPhone e? (That's 11)
It's too much to add something new.
It should be: iPad Pro 13", iPad 11", iPad Air 9.5", iPhone Pro 7", iPhone 6.5", iPhone Air 6". Then, maybe it could make sense to slip an iPhone Fold in the 8" slot. I still think 7 is too much - but it's better.