Apple’s foldable iPhone could bring side-by-side apps and tablet-style layouts
Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone is beginning to take shape through new leaks, with fresh details suggesting the device could introduce a new multitasking experience on the iPhone. A report by Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says Apple is working on software features that would allow two apps to run side by side when the device is unfolded. That would be a change for iPhones, which still don’t support true split-screen multitasking.
The foldable model, expected to be called the iPhone Ultra, may arrive in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. Both devices are likely to run iOS 27, which Apple will preview at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Gurman notes, however, that Apple may keep the foldable-specific interface changes under wraps until the device itself is introduced.
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The larger screen will be key to the changes. The foldable iPhone is expected to open into an inner display roughly the size of an iPad mini. That size would give Apple enough space to place two apps on the screen at once, similar to how multitasking works on iPads. Apple is also said to be adjusting the layout of its own apps for the new format. Some of them may include a sidebar along the left edge, a design already used across several iPad apps. Developers would be able to tweak their existing iPhone apps to fit the wider display as well.
At the same time, Apple appears to be drawing a line between the foldable iPhone and its tablets. The report says the device will not run native iPad apps and will not offer a full window-style interface like the one available on the iPad.
Beyond the software, early design files circulating online hint at how the device might look. The foldable iPhone is expected to include a hinge-based design with a large internal display and a smaller outer screen for everyday use when the phone is closed. The rear camera system could feature two sensors on a raised module.
Apple would be entering a foldable market that has already been shaped by devices like the Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. Companies including Samsung and OPPO have spent the past few years refining foldable designs and adding multitasking tools that take advantage of larger screens. Apple may take a different route with the screen shape. Gurman reports that the company is aiming for a wider aspect ratio than many current foldables. That could make watching videos more comfortable while also helping standard iPhone apps scale more naturally across the larger display.
For buyers interested in foldables, Apple’s entry could expand the category further, particularly among users who prefer the iPhone ecosystem. Android foldables already offer several generations of hardware improvements and advanced multitasking tools. Apple’s first foldable iPhone may instead focus on offering a familiar iPhone experience that expands into a larger, more flexible screen when opened. If that approach works, the device could appeal to users who want the benefits of a bigger display without learning a completely new interface. While still speculative, these details suggest that users prioritising a seamless iPhone experience on a larger screen might find Apple’s approach appealing, whereas those seeking full tablet-level multitasking might still look to existing Android options or wait for future iterations.
