Apple’s first foldable iPhone is coming later in 2026, possibly named iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra. It breaks Apple’s usual launch plans and brings a wide inner screen the size of an iPad mini with a square 4:3 shape. This makes it perfect for bigger views without a full tablet.
Apple’s Foldable iPhone to Feature iPad-Like Interface When Opened
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The software shines on that inner display. It borrows iPad tricks like running two apps side by side and using slide-out sidebars for easy navigation. Apple created new iOS layouts and buttons just for the extra space, making multitasking feel natural and fun.
But it stays true to iPhone roots. No dragging windows or iPad apps here it’s plain iOS with simple extras, not the full, powerful iPadOS setup. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says this keeps things easy without too much change.
Hardware fixes common fold phone problems. New tech hides the crease where it folds, making the screen look smooth and flat. It’s also tougher to last longer. The outer screen has a small hole for the front camera. Open it, and there’s another hole inside for selfies, plus two rear cameras for photos. Unlock with your finger on the power button—simple Touch ID.
This design slips into your pocket when closed but opens for more room to read, work, or play. Rumors from GSMArena and CAD drawings show a slim build. It ties into iPhone 18 updates and could cost like other premium phones, around $1,800 or more.
Users on the r/Terraria thread shared different opinions about foldable devices and how apps and multitasking should work on them.
One commenter suggested that the foldable phone format could be better suited for “slide-over” multitasking, and argued that companies should focus on creating a simple and usable split-screen interface instead of complicated systems like the windowed multitasking seen on iPadOS.
Another user said that for small tablets, Android might have the better approach because it simply stretches phone apps to fit larger screens, which can sometimes work better than running iPhone apps in compatibility modes.
A third commenter looked at the market side, pointing out that even though Apple dominates the premium smartphone segment, it still holds only about two-thirds of that market. Because of this, they believe foldable iPhones may not attract dramatically more third-party app development than existing foldable devices right away.
Apple aims to beat rivals like Samsung by blending iPhone simplicity with foldable perks. The iPad-style features on iOS help make phones and tablets work more smoothly together. There are no unusual cameras or extra features yet just the basic things done well.
Right now, prototypes are probably being tested, so the company can improve everything before the final launch. This update could change the way people use their phones in the future.
