Rumours are gathering pace about Apple’s grand unveiling of its first folding iPhone, which whispers suggest is due to make its curtain call later this year. Though unconfirmed, the device would come some seven years after rival Samsung’s first foldable smartphone but added another string to the immovable iPhone bow.

Though not much is known about the iPhone Fold (only a rumoured name) other than the fact it will be a book-style foldable akin to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, rather than a flip phone design, a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has attempted to shed more light on the upcoming launch.

Gurman said his sources told him Apple will for the first time allow a split screen mode on an iPhone so users can run two apps side by side on one screen. This feature is common on Android phones – and the Apple iPad – but Apple has never allowed iPhones to run split screen apps before.

The report also states the inside folding screen of the foldable iPhone will be “roughly the size of an iPad mini” and an outside screen the size of “a small iPhone”. The latest iPad mini has an 8.3-inch display while the smallest screen current iPhone is the 6.1-inch iPhone 17e.

“The inside display will use a wide aspect ratio, a departure from the narrower formats of foldable phones currently on the market,” Gurman reports, adding the design “is intended to make the device more appealing for watching video.”

It’s thought Apple will make it easy for developers to redesign their iPhone apps to work on the new screen size. Despite its rumoured iPad mini dimensions when unfolded, the folding iPhone will run iOS, not iPadOS, even though these operating systems are very similar. It will not be able to run iPad apps.

Apple is said to be “developing new iOS app layouts” and adding a sidebar along the left edge of the screen to help users navigate the new form factor. Being able to run two apps side-by-side will bring it in line with what Google offers on its Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Other Android rivals such as Samsung and Honor allow this plus the ability to open a floating third window for another app on top, a niche feature.

Excitingly for iPhone fans, Gurman says Apple has taken its time to develop its first foldable phone in an attempt to reduce the appearance of the crease on the folding screen.

“The company opted for a new display technology that reduces the crease without eliminating it entirely,” Gurman said. “Though not perfect, the approach could potentially give the company a marketing advantage.”

The phone is also said to be marketed on its durability, while the outer screen could have a circular cut-out camera, an iPhone first. This is likely because the folding iPhone is said to ditch Face ID in favour of Touch ID, similar to the tech seen in the latest iPad Air.

Despite this change, Apple will still use the Dynamic Island software flourishes around the punch hole camera. Elsewhere, the iPhone is said to have two rear cameras and cost about $2,000. It’s expected to be launched in September.