Apple appears to be preparing the software groundwork for a foldable iPhone in iOS 27, with developers finding framework strings like "foldState" and "angleDegrees" buried in the operating system. These references directly point to hardware capable of detecting folding states and screen angles, suggesting Apple is building out the software stack for a device with multiple integrated displays.

During its Platforms State of the Union session, Apple pushed developers to abandon fixed-orientation app designs in favor of layouts that adapt across "a dynamic range of sizes and aspect ratios." The company introduced resizable iOS apps for iPhone Mirroring and iPad, with SwiftUI apps using scene lifecycle automatically qualifying for resizability support. A new resizable iOS simulator in Xcode lets developers test across various screen dimensions.

This shift makes sense if Apple plans to release a foldable device in September 2026. Rumors suggest the "iPhone Ultra" will feature a book-style design with a 7.8-inch inner display and 5.5-inch cover display, swapping Face ID for Touch ID and incorporating a titanium frame with Liquid Metal hinge. At over $2,000, it would become the most expensive iPhone ever made.

By requiring all iOS apps to support flexible layouts now, Apple ensures its ecosystem will be ready when the foldable launches. This proactive approach suggests the company learned from Samsung's early foldable growing pains, where app compatibility issues plagued initial releases.