Apple Foldable iPhone Rumors: Missing Features & Why to Wait
Thinking of waiting for the rumored foldable iPhone? Discover why missing iPad apps and Face ID might make the first Apple Fold a skip. Read our analysis!
The Apple Foldable Dilemma: Why the Latest Rumors Have Me Reaching for My Current Phone
When Apple enters a new product category, they usually don’t just join the party—they redefine the guest list. Think of the original iPhone, the iPad, or the Apple Watch. These weren’t just gadgets; they were tectonic shifts in how we interact with technology. So, when the first whispers of a foldable iPhone began to circulate, I was ready to be impressed. The prospect of Apple’s design language meeting the flexibility of a folding screen felt like the inevitable future of mobile computing.
But as more details emerge from reliable sources like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, my excitement is being replaced by a healthy dose of skepticism. While the idea of a folding iPhone is flashy, the reported specs suggest a device that is struggling to find its identity. Between restricted software and the removal of flagship features, it’s starting to look like Apple’s first foldable might be a rare swing and a miss.
The Multitasking Mirage and the App Gap
The centerpiece of this rumored device is an inner display roughly the size of an iPad Mini. On paper, that sounds like a dream. Apple is reportedly developing a custom interface that allows for true side-by-side multitasking, similar to what you’d find on a tablet. Imagine planning a dinner party with your grocery list on the left and a recipe blog on the right, or triaging emails while keeping your calendar in view.
However, there is a massive catch that should give any power user pause: the device reportedly won’t run existing iPad apps.
This is a significant dealbreaker. If you’re carrying a device that unfolds into a tablet-sized canvas, you expect to use tablet-grade tools. Imagine the frustration of having that extra screen real estate but being unable to use LumaFusion for high-end video editing or Procreate for precision sketching because the device only supports scaled-up iPhone apps. Without access to the specialized iPadOS library, the foldable iPhone risks being a giant phone rather than a pocketable computer. It’s like buying a sports car but being told you can only drive it in school zones.
Security and Hardware Hurdles
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Another rumor causing concern is the potential removal of Face ID. Since the iPhone X, Face ID has become the gold standard for mobile security—it’s fast, invisible, and deeply integrated into everything from banking apps to Apple Pay. Word on the street is that Apple may ditch this in favor of a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, similar to the Touch ID found on the iPad Air.
While side-mounted sensors work perfectly fine on other devices, removing Face ID feels like a regression for a "premium" flagship. It forces users to change a habit that has become muscle memory. Furthermore, reports indicate the outer display will be the size of a standard, small iPhone. While this makes the device manageable when closed, it suggests a bulky footprint. If you have to unfold the phone every time you want to do more than read a text, the novelty of the folding mechanism might wear thin after the first week.
Who Is This Device Actually For?
Given the likely price tag—which will almost certainly exceed the $1,599 mark of the current highest-end iPhones—this isn't a device for the average shopper. Based on the current rumors, here is how the potential audience breaks down:
The Bleeding-Edge Early Adopter: This person wants the "first" of everything and doesn't mind dealing with the growing pains of a first-generation product. They value the "cool factor" over practical software utility.
The Ecosystem Purist: Someone who is deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and refuses to look at Android, regardless of how much better the competing hardware might be. They’ve been waiting years for a folding screen and will accept the compromises just to stay on iMessage.
The Luxury Collector: For some, a foldable iPhone is a status symbol. They aren't worried about whether Procreate runs on the inner display; they just want the most expensive and unique-looking device Apple makes.
The Patient Professional: This person should probably wait. If you actually need a productivity powerhouse, the current rumors suggest this device won't be ready to replace your iPad or even your iPhone 15 Pro Max just yet.
Better Bets: What to Buy Right Now
If you are looking for a foldable device today—whether for yourself or as a high-end gift—you don't have to wait for Apple’s "work in progress." There are already established players that have solved the multitasking and app compatibility puzzles.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: This is the current gold standard for foldable productivity. It features a refined hinge, a stunning inner display, and full support for the S-Pen. Unlike the rumored iPhone Fold, the Z Fold 6 has a mature software ecosystem that handles window resizing and app pairs with ease. It’s a proven workhorse.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: If you prefer a wider, more traditional phone feel when the device is closed, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the winner. It boasts an incredibly thin design and one of the best camera systems ever put in a foldable. Its "Open Canvas" multitasking is intuitive and, most importantly, it feels like a finished product rather than a prototype.
Summary: Wait or Buy?
To help you decide whether to hold out for Apple or jump ship to a current foldable, here is the breakdown of the current landscape:
DEVICE: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
STATUS: Buy Now
BEST FOR: Stylus users and hardcore multitaskers who want a proven, durable design.
DEVICE: Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
STATUS: Buy Now
BEST FOR: People who want the best cameras and a thin, premium-feeling hardware experience.
DEVICE: Apple Foldable (Rumored)
STATUS: Wait
BEST FOR: Only those who are strictly committed to Apple and are willing to pay a premium for first-gen hardware with limited app support.
The Final Verdict
Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone sounds like a device still searching for its purpose. The promise of iPad-like multitasking is a great hook, but without the support of the iPad’s robust app library and the convenience of Face ID, it feels like a compromise.
If you’re a tech enthusiast who needs the latest innovation today, look toward the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. They offer the power and flexibility that Apple is still reportedly trying to figure out. For the rest of us, my advice is to hold your horses. Apple usually gets it right eventually, but if these rumors are any indication, the first version of the iPhone Fold might be the one you're better off skipping. Save your money for the second generation, or stick with the reliability of a standard iPhone Pro until the software catches up to the hardware's ambitions.
Apple Foldable iPhone Rumors: Missing Features & Why to Wait | Gimmie
