iPhone Fold leak hints at iPad-like multitasking and a smaller cover display

Apple may soon join the foldable smartphone race, with rumours suggesting the company is preparing its first flexible-display handset for launch in 2026. Although the device has not been officially confirmed, fresh reports indicate that the rumoured model, commonly referred to as the “iPhone Fold”, could combine elements of both the iPhone and the iPad in its software experience.

Apple's first foldable device is expected to introduce multitasking capabilities not currently available on standard iPhones, potentially bringing a tablet-style interface to the company’s smartphone lineup. If the rumours prove accurate, Apple’s approach could focus on making better use of the expanded screen space rather than simply replicating existing phone software on a larger display.

iPhone Fold leak: iPad-like UI, compact display

According to reporting from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple’s foldable smartphone will offer a software interface that closely resembles the experience found on an Apple iPad when the device is opened.

When unfolded, the larger screen is expected to allow two apps to run simultaneously, placed side by side. This would mark a major change for iPhones, which currently do not support full split-screen multitasking on their main displays.

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At present, iPhone users can only run a limited form of multitasking through picture-in-picture windows for videos or calls. A foldable design would give Apple the space needed to introduce more advanced productivity features.

The interface may also include app sidebars positioned along the left side of the screen, a layout commonly seen in many iPad applications. This would allow users to quickly switch between apps or access different sections of an app while continuing to use the main display area.

To support the wider screen, Apple is reportedly developing new tools for software developers, allowing them to optimise their apps for the foldable interface.

In terms of hardware design, the device is believed to function as a hybrid between a standard iPhone and the compact iPad mini. When folded, it would behave like a traditional smartphone with a smaller outer screen. Once opened, however, the display would expand to provide a tablet-like experience.

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Leaks suggest the device may include a 5.5-inch outer display paired with a 7.8-inch inner screen. The aspect ratio could be closer to 4:3, giving it proportions similar to Google’s foldable phone, the Google Pixel Fold.

The device could also feature dual rear cameras, two front-facing cameras, and a power button equipped with Touch ID. Under the hood, it may run on Apple’s rumoured A20 Pro processor built using a 2-nanometre manufacturing process, alongside an in-house C2 modem for connectivity.

iPhone Fold: Price expectation

While technical specifications remain speculative, early reports suggest Apple may position the foldable phone firmly in the premium segment.

In his Power On newsletter, Gurman wrote that Apple is planning to introduce the device at “roughly $2,000” (around Rs 1,84,600).

If that estimate reflects the base price of the lowest storage model, it would put the foldable iPhone directly in line with the pricing of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which debuted at Rs 1,79,999.

Matching Samsung’s pricing strategy could be a deliberate move. The Galaxy Z Fold lineup has shown that there is a market for ultra-premium foldable phones, even at a significantly higher price point than standard smartphones.

iPhone Fold launch timeline

The rumoured foldable device is widely expected to arrive in 2026, potentially alongside the next generation of Apple’s flagship, the iPhone 18 Pro.

If Apple does introduce the device that year, it would mark a relatively late entry into the foldable market compared with rivals that have already spent years refining their designs. However, the company has often taken a slower approach to new product categories, focusing on software integration and long-term ecosystem support rather than rushing to be first.

By blending smartphone portability with tablet-style productivity features, Apple could attempt to position the foldable iPhone as a new category within its product lineup rather than just another smartphone.

Whether the device ultimately launches as rumoured remains to be seen, but the growing number of leaks suggests Apple’s long-awaited foldable experiment may finally be taking shape.