Apple’s Foldable iPhone Will Reportedly Feature an iPad-Style Interface

Apple is reportedly making major software adjustments to prepare for its first foldable iPhone. When the device launches, it is expected to introduce an interface that borrows elements from the iPad, including side-by-side multitasking and app sidebars designed to take advantage of a much larger internal display.

According to a new report from Bloomberg, the foldable iPhone’s inner screen will be roughly the size of an iPad mini and will use a wider aspect ratio than most current foldable smartphones. Apple believes this wider format will create a better experience for watching video and using apps across a larger workspace.

To support the expanded screen, Apple is updating its core iPhone apps with left-hand sidebars and other layout changes. Developers will also receive tools to adapt their own apps so they can take advantage of the new interface.

iPad-Style Features Without iPadOS

Even though the interface will adopt some tablet-inspired elements, the foldable device will still run standard iOS rather than iPadOS.

Users should not expect the full desktop-style windowing system currently available on modern iPads. The device will also not run native iPad applications directly. Instead, Apple is focusing on enhancing iPhone apps to work better on a larger screen.

One of the key capabilities will be the ability to run two iPhone apps side by side, a feature already common on Android foldable devices. This approach allows Apple to expand multitasking while maintaining compatibility with the existing iPhone app ecosystem.

A New Display Design for the iPhone

The foldable iPhone will introduce several design changes compared with traditional iPhone models.

The outer cover screen will reportedly be slightly shorter than most current iPhone displays. Apple is also moving away from the familiar pill-shaped notch used in recent iPhones. Instead, the device will feature a small hole-punch cutout for the front-facing camera.

Despite the hardware change, the Dynamic Island interface will still appear in software to manage alerts and Live Activities around the camera cutout. A similar hole-punch design is also rumored to appear in Apple’s upcoming touch-screen MacBook Pro later this year.

Touch ID Returns Instead of Face ID

One of the more surprising changes involves biometric authentication.

Because the foldable iPhone’s front panel is extremely thin, Apple reportedly could not fit the TrueDepth sensor array required for Face ID. As a result, the company is bringing back Touch ID through a side-mounted fingerprint scanner built into the power button.

Apple also experimented with an under-display camera for the inner screen but ultimately abandoned the idea because image quality did not meet its standards. The internal display will instead include a small hole-punch camera as well.

Focus on Durability and a Minimal Crease

Foldable phones have long struggled with durability and visible screen creases. Apple’s engineering team reportedly spent significant time addressing these issues before settling on its final display design.

The company is said to be using specialized screen technology that significantly reduces the crease along the folding area. This aligns with recent supply chain reports suggesting Apple’s foldable display will feature a minimal visible crease compared to existing devices.

On the back of the phone, Apple is expected to include a dual-camera system rather than the triple-camera setup found on the Pro models. This decision may help control thickness and internal space within the folding chassis.

A Premium Device at the Top of the Lineup

Apple’s foldable iPhone is currently expected to launch in the fall and could carry a price tag around $2,000. The device would sit at the very top of Apple’s smartphone lineup, above the traditional Pro and Pro Max models.

Competitors are already adjusting their plans in response. Samsung is reportedly accelerating development of a wider foldable device designed to compete directly with Apple’s approach to screen size and aspect ratio.

If the reports prove accurate, Apple’s first foldable iPhone could introduce a hybrid experience that blends elements of both the iPhone and iPad while opening a new chapter for the company’s hardware lineup.