Apple is preparing to hold its annual Worldwide Developer Conference next week, where it is expected to reveal the long-awaited Siri improvements. While the idea of the smart assistant finally operating as intended excites many, the iOS 27 preview might also confirm Apple's next major product: the foldable iPhone Ultra.

iPhones have fallen behind Android rivals when it comes to advanced multitasking. Dynamic Island offers quick info access without switching apps, yet it cannot match running several apps side-by-side or layered. These capabilities matter greatly for expansive foldable screens and even large standard phones. This shortcoming explains why the 6.9-inch display on Pro Max models often goes underused. Change could arrive at the upcoming event.

A Bloomberg report suggests the foldable iPhone will show an iPad-style interface when unfolded. It may enable two apps running together and include sidebars in various applications. An iPhone has never supported multiple simultaneous apps on screen, so a demo at WWDC 26 would likely indicate a larger display device, ideally a foldable model.

Still, iOS 27 requires more than an iPad-like multitasking layout to fully leverage the expanded space. After testing numerous foldable phones over recent years, several suggestions stand out for Apple to optimize the larger canvas.

Multitasking via Smart Window Controls

The Oppo Find N6 ranks as a top foldable thanks to its strong software for handling multiple tasks. It goes beyond simple split-screen mode. Basic side-by-side use works for some scenarios but proves limiting when typing in one app such as a document editor, as the keyboard reduces available space.

Oppo and OnePlus addressed this in 2023 by allowing two apps side-by-side plus a third in full view at the bottom. This setup permits referencing a webpage on one side, viewing a PDF on the other, and typing in a document app below.

The newest Oppo Find N6 advances further with its Free-Flow Window tool, supporting up to four apps in adjustable windows at once. While four may seem excessive, it proves practical during urgent work like invoice preparation at an airport, where Sheets, Calculator, Keep, and Chrome can run together for cross-checking and calculations.

Slab phones require constant switching between apps for similar work, but resizable simultaneous windows save time and effort. The feature also aids note-taking during meetings while viewing shared documents. Such tools on the iPhone Fold, paired with an iPad-like taskbar, could turn the device into a pocket-sized iPad Mini when open.

Additional iOS Refinements for Ease

The iOS 27 redesign may update Siri, Search, Camera, Safari, Weather, Image Playground, and other areas. For the foldable iPhone's larger display, two system interface additions would help greatly.

A persistent sidebar similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 would prove valuable. Though it may seem minor at first, nearly every foldable now includes this for good cause. Features like AI Select on Samsung devices launched via the sidebar, enabling screen highlights for contextual suggestions such as adding calendar events directly from emails without manual entry.

The sidebar also grants quick access to apps like Files or pop-up tools such as Calculator. While reports mention sidebars for select apps, system-wide availability would allow use over any content regardless of the active application.

Second, extended folders like those from Honor deserve wider adoption. They keep apps one tap away yet permit grouping, combining folder benefits with direct icon access. Honor supports up to five apps in vertical or horizontal layouts, unlike most versions limited to three. This approach has been missed on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, where options are limited to clustering icons or using Smart Stack for widgets.

These iOS 27 enhancements would simplify the upcoming Apple foldable and boost its large-screen effectiveness. A first look at some features next week at WWDC 26, alongside other iOS 27 highlights, would make for an eventful period in Apple software.