iOS 12 Beta Hints At iPad-Like Interface For Rumored iPhone X Plus

Apple is expected to launch three new iPhones later this year, including a model with a massive 6.5-inch OLED display. Newly discovered evidence may have revealed that the rumored handset, dubbed the iPhone X Plus, could feature a landscape mode that’s similar to Apple’s previous “Plus” models and iPads.

Evidence of a landscape mode for the iPhone X Plus was first discovered by the Brazilian Apple news site iHelpBR. The site was able to find the information inside the latest iOS 12 beta software. iHelpBR used the latest Xcode's iOS simulator to force iOS 12 to run at a resolution of 2,688 x 1,242, the rumored screen resolution of the 6.5-inch OLED iPhone. The site discovered that native apps like Mail, Calendar, Messages and Contacts were all able to switch from portrait to landscape.

For example, the Calendar app was able to show the entire month on one side, while the other side shows off the user’s events. The Messages app is also able to show the use’s recent messages on the left side, while the right side is able to show a message thread.

For those unaware, the screen resolution of the current 5.8-inch iPhone X is 2,436 x 1,125 and the handset doesn’t support the landscape interface. Meanwhile, the iPhone 8 Plus and previous “Plus” models all have landscape mode. Landscape mode is also enabled on Apple’s iPad line.

The latest discovery suggests that the 6.5-inch iPhone X Plus will arrive with a 2,688 x 1,242 resolution display. It also shows that the bigger display is able to accommodate the landscape mode that’s featured on previous Plus models and iPads. This indicates that the 6.5-inch OLED 2018 iPhone will have a much larger screen real estate that is able to properly display iOS 12’s landscape interface.

The discovery also shows that Apple is already optimizing its native iOS apps in preparation for its biggest 2018 iPhone model. What remains unclear is whether Apple is planning to bring the same landscape interface to its rumored 6.1-inch LCD iPhone model. The LCD device will have a larger display than the 2018 5.8-inch OLED iPhone, but its screen resolution is still a mystery. Perhaps Apple’s landscape mode for iOS is only compatible with certain resolutions and not necessarily with the physical size of the display itself.

AppleInsider speculates that Apple might not include iOS landscape mode in the 6.1-inch LCD model. It’s possible that this may be Apple’s way of steering people to purchase the larger 6.5-inch OLED model, which is also believed to be the most expensive variant. The 6.5-inch OLED iPhone X Plus is rumored to have a starting price of $999, while the 6.1-inch LCD model could start at around $600 to $700.