iPhone Fold: Leak suggests severely limited multitasking
When unfolded, the foldable iPhone will likely resemble a mini-tablet. However, according to a report, it will not receive a proper window system.
Apple now trusts the iPad with windows – on the iPhone Fold, the manufacturer reportedly wants to forgo this.
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Apple's software plans for the first foldable iPhone are slowly taking shape. According to a report, the "iPhone Fold" will run the iOS operating system in its classic form, rather than the split-off tablet version iPadOS. Multitasking functions are expected to remain limited accordingly, with flexible workflows involving multiple freely positionable windows – as supported by iPadOS 26 – not being planned, reports the financial news agency Bloomberg, citing informed sources. It is reportedly only possible to display two apps side-by-side on the iPhone Fold.
iPhone Apps with Sidebar
The manufacturer is currently adapting its standard iOS apps for the wider, unfolded screen. These will reportedly receive a sidebar, for example, as known from iPad apps. Developers will also likely have to adapt their iPhone apps accordingly for the foldable. Existing iPad apps "do not run without further ado" on the new device class for Apple, Bloomberg notes. An expanded display of iPhone apps is already available on (large) iPhones: in landscape mode, Apple Mail switches to a two-column layout, for example, and also allows the sidebar to be displayed.
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If the report is accurate, Apple could make the same mistake it has for a long time with the iPad: Instead of trusting its users with a window system and allowing flexible use of multiple app windows, functions are artificially restricted. The fact that the multi-window system of iPadOS 26 actually runs smoothly on iPhones is obvious and has already been demonstrated by tinkerers: By modifying system files, the tablet operating system could also be unlocked on iPhones. This also includes support for external monitors in an extended, not just mirrored, display. Apple has so far denied the iPhone such a useful desktop mode.
Unfolded iPhone Fold Resembles iPad mini
Apple will likely introduce the iPhone Fold in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro. In terms of price, it could position itself slightly above foldable competitors starting at around $2,000. In contrast to the latest foldables from Samsung and Google, Apple is reportedly opting for a currently rather unusual squashed passport format: The external display is reportedly relatively small with a diagonal of only 5.5 inches. When unfolded, it reportedly offers a 7.8-inch screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, making it resemble the iPad mini. According to Bloomberg, Apple has not yet been able to integrate the Face ID facial recognition into the iPhone Fold. Instead, it will likely rely on the Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the standby button again – similar to the cheaper iPads.
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