Apple’s foldable iPhone is shaping up to be quite different than what industry observers expected. According to leaked design documents, the foldable iPhone will ship with iPad-style multitasking capabilities but notably exclude Face ID authentication, forcing users to rely on alternative biometric methods. This departure from Apple’s premium security standard marks a significant shift in how the tech giant approaches its most ambitious hardware experiment yet.

Here’s What Happened

The foldable iPhone design reportedly ditches the Face ID sensor array entirely in favor of under-display fingerprint authentication. Apple engineers determined that integrating Face ID into the folding hinge mechanism created insurmountable engineering challenges.

The decision prioritizes durability over biometric prestige—a pragmatic choice that suggests Apple is willing to compromise on signature features to ship a working foldable device. Competitors like Samsung have already proven that Galaxy S26 iPhone rivals can succeed without relying solely on facial recognition.

The Multitasking Trade-Off

The foldable iPhone will enable simultaneous app windows when unfolded, mirroring iPad’s split-view functionality. However, Apple won’t allow iPad apps to run on the foldable iPhone—a curious restriction that limits the device’s productivity potential.

Users will be stuck with iPhone-optimized applications even with expanded screen real estate. This creates an odd middle ground: hardware that supports multitasking without the software ecosystem to fully exploit it. The constraint suggests Apple is still figuring out how to scale its app architecture for foldables.

Why Face ID Got Cut

Folding displays create optical interference that confuses Face ID’s infrared sensor array. Embedding the sensor under the display would require redesigning Apple’s entire TrueDepth camera system.

Under-display fingerprint sensors, on the other hand, integrate cleanly into foldable smartphone under-display technology that Samsung and other manufacturers have already perfected. Apple’s willingness to abandon Face ID signals that engineering feasibility now trumps brand consistency in the foldable race.

Industry Reaction

Analysts view the Face ID removal as a necessary compromise. According to The Verge, the move acknowledges that foldable iPhone design constraints require trade-offs Apple traditionally resisted.

Security researchers note that under-display fingerprint sensors remain highly secure, though less convenient in certain scenarios. The decision also hints that Apple may be further away from launch than previously assumed—engineering hurdles persist despite years of development.

What’s Next for Apple

Apple hasn’t officially confirmed foldable iPhone specs or a launch window. Industry sources suggest 2027 as a realistic target, though delays remain probable.

It will compete directly with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line, which already offers multitasking and proven reliability. Apple’s late entry gives competitors time to refine their approach, but Apple’s ecosystem advantage could still dominate when this finally arrives.