Rumor: largest iPhone has ‘tablet interface’ in landscape for some apps

The SDK for iOS 8 appears to be able to show apps in landscape at the presumed resolution of the largest iPhone 6 model. Multiple columns are then possible in those apps, so that, for example, the calendar can contain both a monthly overview and details per appointment.

The option comes up when developers set the emulator’s resolution to 736×414 points, writes 9to5 Mac, based on screenshots from Irish developer Steve Througton-Smith. There appeared to be support for landscape mode in Calendar, Contacts and Game Center, according to the screenshots.

The 736×414 resolution, when scaling 2x or 3x, corresponds to the resolution of the iPhone 6 with 5.5″ screen according to 9to5 Mac. The 4.7″ variant would not support the option. If Apple builds in the option, it is presumably to make use of the larger screen surface.

The support for iOS in landscape is something Apple has been sparing with on iPhones in recent years; while apps do work in landscape on iPads, the manufacturer has taken portrait mode as the starting point for its smartphones.

Just because support is now in the iOS 8 SDK doesn’t prove it will be in the upcoming iPhone; it could be a future feature already in the sdk. Apple is holding its own event on Tuesday where it is expected to announce two larger iPhones, a wearable and the release of iOS 8.