Apple is set to launch its first foldable iPhone this fall, introducing a fresh approach to iOS 27 with side-by-side app multitasking and redesigned app layouts. The new foldable device, expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, will feature an inward-folding display roughly the size of an iPad mini, complemented by a smaller external screen similar to a compact iPhone.
While current iPhones only offer limited landscape multitasking, the iPhone Fold will bring true side-by-side app usage, a feature previously available only on iPads. The foldable’s wider aspect ratio allows more immersive video viewing and easier adaptation of existing iPhone apps for the larger, tablet-like screen.
iPhone Fold multitasking with side-by-side apps
To support this new form factor, Apple is working on updated iOS 27 app layouts that include left-edge sidebars, mimicking many iPad apps. Developers will have the option to tailor their software for this interface, which resembles an iPad in landscape size but without support for running iPad-specific apps or a full windowing system.
Hardware design details of the iPhone Fold
Hardware details leaked via 3D models reveal a device with a dual-camera setup on a plateau similar to the iPhone Air. The phone has rounded corners on two sides and squared corners along the hinge side. Its front-facing camera appears positioned in the top left when unfolded, confirming the foldable display design.
Release timeline for the iPhone Fold and iOS 27
Apple plans to unveil the iPhone Fold and iOS 27 at their September event, following a preview of the software at WWDC this June. However, specific foldable-focused features won’t be revealed until the hardware launch. The new multitasking capabilities and interface designs could reshape how iPhones handle productivity, challenging existing foldables with a blend of iPad functionality and Apple’s unique ecosystem.