A foldable iPhone is inevitable, and foldOS is ripe for unfolding

Since their introduction into the mainstream back in 2019, foldable smartphones have rapidly matured in terms of fit, finish, and functionality. When comparing the newly-released Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 to its first-generation predecessor, the original Z Fold, the difference is quite staggering. While price remains a top-of-mind concern, and durability issues continue to persist, hardware makers have successfully solved engineering challenges surrounding weight and thickness, screen-to-body ratio, and hinge tactility.

With this relative product category maturation in mind, it’s only natural that rumors are now swirling about the prospects of an Apple-made foldable iPhone. The jury is out on whether such a product might ultimately take the form of a book-style device or a clamshell flip phone, but a recent report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman predicts the former (along with a 2026 release target).

Much has been said regarding the hardware side of the equation, and I have no doubt that Apple’s attention to detail and industrial design prowess will shine through in the end. That being said, I’m more curious as to how the company will approach software design when it comes to its foldables. Apple is an experience-focused company with a pedigree in the human-computer interaction (HCI) space, and it therefore has big shoes to fill.

I believe that foldables represent a unique opportunity for Apple. In my mind, I’m picturing a scene of Apple executives huddling around a tense boardroom, brainstorming ways in which to re-architect the iPhone’s user interface to best suit the two-in-one form factor. The simple solution might be to graft a couple of tweaks onto the iOS operating system and to call it a day, but I can’t shake off the feeling that we might be about to witness something more substantial — perhaps the birth of a dedicated foldOS.

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The precedent has been set

Apple has already bifurcated iOS, and the time has come for trifurcation

The idea of a foldable iPhone running a bespoke fork of iOS sounds superfluous at first, but hear me out. Apple has made this precise move already, back when it forked iOS into what we now call iPadOS. Sure, the technical underpinnings are nearly identical across both iOS and iPadOS, but the intent is clear: these are two distinct platforms with experiences catered towards the hardware they run on.

Now, I wouldn’t expect a first-generation foldOS 26 to upend the iOS paradigm in any meaningful way, but it opens the door for Apple to build out custom foldable iPhone experiences that typical candybar-style phones simply can’t replicate. It took several years for iPadOS to establish its own identity, and only now are we bearing witness to the likes of a full-blown window management system, a Menu Bar, and several other PC-like additions. The trajectory for foldOS, then, would likely follow a similar curve.

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I have high hopes for foldOS

I hope Apple sprinkles in some of its vertical integration magic

In terms of what a theoretical foldOS might bring to the table, I’d imagine the initial priority would be on perfecting the transition between cover screen and inner display. Apple’s vertical integration across both hardware and software will surely make for a seamless folding and unfolding user experience, with slick animations and a UI that adapts across postures in a cohesive manner.

Beyond this, my personal hope is to see Apple draw inspiration from fellow tech giant Microsoft. Namely, I’d love for Apple to emulate the behavior of the ill-fated Microsoft Surface Duo line, complete with dual display panes for getting work done within segmented environments. This would be a software-based approach as opposed to the Duo’s hardware-based one, but the end result would still be functionally the same.

Ultimately, we’ll have to wait and see what Apple is cooking behind closed doors. foldOS or not, it’s near certain that a folding iPhone is just around the corner, and that the company will use the opportunity to flex its integrated hardware and software stack to the best of its ability. Folding Android phones have reached some semblance of maturity, and so the time is right for an all-new iPhone era to unfold — the Apple is in your court now, Cupertino.

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