Apple nailed iPhone Duo split screen, even as iPad multitasking feels convoluted

Apple unveiled its latest iPhone lineup, featuring the inaugural foldable iPhone - the iPhone Duo. While the Duo is an impressive device, it prompted the author to reflect on Apple's shortcomings in multitasking for the iPad. Since the introduction of iPadOS 26, the author has yearned for the previous era of iPad multitasking. Although windowing is impressive, it's not always desired.

With iPadOS 26, users were forced to either embrace windowing or utilize the device in full-screen mode. The split screen and slideover features, reintroduced in subsequent updates, still necessitated the use of the windowing system. The iPhone Duo, however, provides a more seamless multitasking experience. Users can place an app in a split-screen portion, while still accessing the entire home screen to select another app.

Additionally, the Duo allows saving apps as a pair for later use as a pair. Unlike any iPad, the Duo also offers the ability to split screen a video with an app.

On the iPad Mini, which is akin in size to the iPhone Duo, this functionality could prove beneficial. Despite the iPad mini’s similarity to the Duo, iPadOS 27 continues to adopt an all-or-nothing approach to multitasking. Even on the iPad Mini, where windowing is overly complicated. The iPhone Duo presents an ideal vision for how advantageous multitasking could be on the iPad.

The author is not suggesting the elimination of windowing, but rather, considering Apple's engineering of a more straightforward multitasking system, why not extend it to the iPad? Essentially, iPadOS is still based on iOS, and while not every feature can automatically adapt to the iPad, it doesn’t have to be a colossal challenge.

Speaking personally, the author is highly enthusiastic about the iPhone Duo. Apple successfully implemented the software in a way that was not initially considered, yet in retrospect, it presents an obvious direction for the future of foldables. The author simply hopes that Apple does not make iPad multitasking a deterrent for those who do not use a Magic Keyboard.

They suggest that Apple open box discounts on Woot (by Amazon) are worth checking out. To stay updated on Apple news, the author encourages readers to follow Michael on X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram, and watch 9to5Mac on YouTube.