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Apple is reportedly preparing its first foldable iPhone — and the rumors suggest it could blur the lines between iPhone and iPad. Early details point to a device with a compact closed display and a tablet‑like interior, raising questions about software, multitasking, and whether an Apple Pencil will be on the feature list.
Design, size and when to expect it
Leaks indicate Apple will unveil its foldable iPhone in September 2026. The handset is said to offer a 5.4‑inch screen when folded and a 7.6‑inch display when opened, with a 4:3 aspect ratio. That interior size lands very close to the 2024 iPad mini, which instantly sparks comparisons: could a folded iPhone double as a small iPad?
That similarity in dimensions matters beyond marketing copy. A 7.6‑inch interior gives room for expanded multitasking, split‑screen layouts and possibly Slide Over‑style windows. Imagine running two apps side by side on a device you can still slip into a pocket — it would change how we think about phone productivity.
Software: iOS 27 or something hybrid?
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says iOS 27 will provide the software foundations for Apple’s foldable hardware, but details about the actual user experience remain scarce. The big question is whether Apple will keep the foldable on iPhone‑class software (iOS) or introduce a hybrid approach that borrows iPadOS features to better suit the larger screen.
If Apple treats the foldable like a standard iPhone, users may see enhanced multitasking without a full iPad experience. If the company positions it as a crossover device, expect more iPad‑style windowing, robust split‑screen apps and deeper support for productivity workflows.
Apple Pencil: probable, possible or unlikely?
One of the most interesting rumors is potential Apple Pencil support for the 7.6‑inch interior. Pencil compatibility would make the foldable much more useful for note‑taking, sketching and editing on the go. Yet Apple faces a hardware tradeoff: the foldable is rumored to be extremely thin when open — around 4.5 mm — which could leave little room for the internal components required for active‑stylus support.
Historically, Samsung has offered S Pen support on some Galaxy Z Fold models, though newer versions have sometimes sacrificed the stylus to slim the profile. Apple will have to decide whether to prioritize ultra‑thin design or add the sensors and hardware needed for the Pencil experience.
- Expected reveal: September 2026
- Closed display: ~5.4 inches
- Open display: ~7.6 inches, 4:3 aspect ratio
- Software base: likely iOS 27 (hybrid UI possible)
- Apple Pencil support: rumored but not confirmed
At the end of the day, Apple’s strategy will define the product. If it launches the foldable strictly as an iPhone, Apple Pencil support becomes unlikely. But if the company markets it as a new category — a device that truly bridges iPhone and iPad — Pencil compatibility and expanded multitasking could become headline features.
For now, the foldable iPhone remains a rumor‑rich prospect. As launch time approaches, expect more leaks and hands‑on impressions that will clarify whether this device is a pocketable phone with a bigger screen or Apple’s answer to a compact, take‑anywhere tablet.
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