I Want iOS 27 To Give Us These Features That'd Be Perfect for a Foldable iPhone

Apple's first foldable iPhone could be its most ambitious product yet, and the software powering it may arrive as early as next year's Worldwide Developers Conference.

A foldable iPhone has been the subject of speculation for years, but recent reports suggest Apple is finally moving toward a 2026 launch. The device, tentatively called the iPhone Ultra, would mark Apple's entry into a category Samsung has dominated since 2019. Now, software features optimized for a folding display could be previewed at WWDC 2026, giving developers time to adapt their apps before the hardware ships.

Apple has a history of entering mature markets late and redefining them — the iPhone itself, the iPad, and more recently the Apple Watch. A foldable iPhone would follow that playbook. The company has reportedly been testing multiple prototypes, including a clamshell design and a book-style foldable with a roughly 7.5-inch internal display when opened. Suppliers like Samsung Display and LG are said to be competing for panel orders, while Apple has filed patents on hinge mechanisms, self-healing screens, and a new flexible battery design.

The key question is what iOS 27 — expected to debut at WWDC 2026 — will do to make a foldable iPhone feel essential rather than gimmicky. Based on leaks and patent filings, here are the folded iPhone features users should expect:

Split-screen multitasking is likely, allowing two full-size app windows side by side. Apple's Stage Manager on iPad already hints at this direction. App continuity — where an app seamlessly transitions from the cover screen to the main display — would be a baseline. Developers could offer "desktop-class" app modes for the unfolded canvas, similar to what Apple introduced for iPad Pro. New gestures specific to folding and unfolding actions, such as pinching to resize or flicking to transfer content across screens, may also arrive.

Industry analysts see Apple's entry as a potential inflection point for the foldable market. Counterpoint Research estimates foldable shipments will exceed 30 million units in 2024, but growth has been slowing as early adopters are satisfied. "Apple could ignite a second wave," says analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. "If they nail the software experience and keep the price under $1,500, they could sell 15 million units in the first year alone." That would rival the entire current foldable market.

What happens next is a waiting game. WWDC 2026 is the earliest likely reveal of foldable iPhone features in the form of developer APIs and iOS 27 previews. The hardware launch is expected in late 2026 or early 2027, with a rumored price tag of $1,999. Apple is also reportedly working on a foldable iPad and a foldable MacBook, but those are farther out. For now, all eyes are on whether Apple can fold its way into a new category — and whether iOS 27 will make that a seamless twist.