Apple’s first foldable iPhone is coming this fall, and Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has new information about how the interface will work. Notably, it sounds like the iPhone Fold (or whatever Apple calls the new phone) will allow you to run two apps side-by-side.
First iPhone with side-by-side apps
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone Fold alongside the iPhone 18 Pro in September. Like the iPhone 18 Pro, it will run iOS 27, which Apple is due to preview in June at WWDC. However, don’t expect the iPhone Fold-specific software features to be revealed before the hardware.
In the meantime, we’ve got Mark Gurman’s reporting to give us a preview of what to expect. First up, those side-by-side apps will join iPad-like layouts, something only partially offered in landscape orientation on existing iPhones.
The product — Apple’s long-awaited entry into the category — will feature an interior foldable display roughly the size of an iPad mini, according to people with knowledge of the matter. There also will be an external screen that’s about the size of the display on a small iPhone.
Gurman says there are two benefits to Apple’s foldable design, which is expected to have a wider aspect ratio compared to existing foldable smartphones. First is watching video. Second is adapting existing iPhone apps for the new device.
On the app development front, Gurman offers more details:
Apple is developing new iOS app layouts and revamping its core iPhone programs to add sidebars along the left edge of the screen, similar to many of its iPad apps. Developers will also be able to adapt their iPhone software for the new interface, which will use proportions similar to an iPad in landscape mode.
The report says the iPhone Fold will not support running iPad apps, however. A true windowing system like on the similarly sized iPad mini won’t be offered.
iPhone Fold design details
Earlier this week, 3D design files surfaced online that likely give us a preview of the hardware.
The design includes a camera plateau similar to the iPhone Air, except there are two cameras and not just one. The phone is rounded on two corners and squared off on the other two where the hinge would be located.
Additionally, the design files appear to show the layout of the iPhone Fold when in open form. A dot in the top left corner represents the front-facing camera. Another image shows the phone’s outer sides both in open form and when closed with the outside display in view.
Gurman touches on some of these details in the latest Bloomberg report on the rumored iPhone Fold. You can read the report in full here.
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