Apple is developing enhanced multitasking capabilities in iOS 27 designed specifically for its anticipated foldable iPhone Ultra, according to a PhoneArena report.
The move signals Apple’s recognition that a foldable device demands a fundamentally different software experience than a standard smartphone.
What’s Coming in iOS 27
Details on the specific multitasking features remain limited, but the report indicates Apple is actively building foldable-optimized functionality into the next major iOS release.
Foldable devices from rivals — including Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series — already support split-screen multitasking, app continuity across the fold, and taskbar navigation as standard features.
Apple entering the foldable market without competitive software parity would put it at an immediate disadvantage.
The Foldable iPhone Ultra
Apple has not officially confirmed a Foldable iPhone, though supply chain reports and analyst forecasts have pointed toward a launch as early as 2026.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has previously said Apple engineers have tested foldable prototypes, though no firm release timeline has been made public.
The “Ultra” branding would place the device at the top of Apple’s product hierarchy, above the Pro Max line.
That positioning suggests Apple intends to price the foldable at a premium, consistent with how rivals like Samsung have approached the category.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 starts at $1,899, according to Samsung's official U.S. pricing.
Software as the Differentiator
Apple has historically used software integration as a key selling point across its hardware lineup.
A foldable iPhone running a version of iOS not optimized for the larger, flexible display would undercut that approach.
iOS 27 targeting multitasking improvements ahead of a potential foldable launch suggests Apple plans to ship the device with software built for it from day one — rather than adapting existing iOS after the fact.
iPadOS, Apple’s tablet-focused operating system, already supports a form of multitasking called Stage Manager, which allows users to run and resize multiple apps simultaneously on screen.
Whether Apple draws from iPadOS conventions or builds an entirely new interaction model for the foldable remains unclear.
The foldable iPhone Ultra’s inner display — the screen users see when the device is open — is expected to measure roughly 7.8 inches diagonally, per earlier supply chain reports cited by 9to5Mac.
That size puts it squarely in tablet territory, making robust multitasking support a practical necessity rather than a bonus feature.
Apple is expected to formally introduce iOS 27 at its Worldwide Developers Conference, typically held each June.
