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Apple's Foldable iPhone Reportedly Adopts iPad-Like UI for Split-Screen Apps This Fall

A Bloomberg report says Apple is tailoring a wider, iPad‑mini‑class inner screen to support split‑screen apps.

Overview

  • Apple is expected to unveil the book‑style foldable alongside the iPhone 18 lineup in September, according to Bloomberg.
  • The device will run iOS rather than iPadOS, with new layouts and left‑edge sidebars enabling two iPhone apps side by side but without iPad‑style windowed multitasking.
  • When opened, the inner display is reportedly near iPad mini size with a wider 4:3 aspect ratio, while the cover screen mirrors a smaller iPhone and uses a hole‑punch selfie camera that still supports Dynamic Island in software.
  • Face ID is said to be dropped because the front panel is too thin for its sensors, with a side‑mounted Touch ID in the power button and a visible inner camera after under‑display tests fell short on image quality.
  • Engineering efforts reportedly focus on reducing the crease and improving durability, with a dual‑rear‑camera setup and a price around $2,000, while a separate report says an earlier clamshell concept was canceled.