Apple is set to launch a foldable iPhone this September, marking a significant departure from its traditional smartphone design with an iPad-like layout that supports side-by-side multitasking.
The device, referred to as the iPhone Fold, represents a hybrid between an iPhone and an iPad, offering a wider display for productivity tasks. It is expected to be the most expensive iPhone in the 2026 lineup, priced around $2,000.
When opened, the user interface will support running two applications simultaneously on the display, a capability that marks a significant departure from previous iPhones, which have not supported multitasking beyond simple picture-in-picture modes. Developers will receive tools to adapt existing applications for the new interface, ensuring a seamless transition to the foldable device.
The iPhone Fold will utilize a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is wider than competitors’ designs. This form factor aims to improve usability for side-by-side apps and video watching. When closed, the device resembles a traditional slab-style iPhone with a standard outer display, providing a familiar user experience.
Apple will include a hole-punch front-facing camera on the outer display, but it will not support Face ID. Instead, the company is using a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, offering an alternative biometric authentication method. The camera area will support Dynamic Island features for notifications despite the absence of a TrueDepth system.
Although Apple tested an under-display camera, it opted for a visible hole-punch due to image quality concerns. The rear of the device will feature a dual-camera system, as space constraints prevent a triple-lens setup. The iPhone Fold will run iOS rather than iPadOS and will not run existing iPadOS applications, maintaining a distinct ecosystem for the new device.
