Apple has released the fourth developer beta of iOS 27, and within this update lies a potential reference to the company's long-awaited foldable iPhone.
New code strings discovered in the update explicitly mention a multi-battery iPhone, a setup that does not exist in current or previous iPhone models. This configuration would be ideal for a foldable device, as it would allow for better battery life and more efficient use of internal space.
The code strings clearly indicate that they are intended for a multi-battery iPhone, as opposed to the single-battery iPhones currently on the market. One of the strings reads, "The batteries in this iPhone are performing as expected," while another mentions that "the health of the batteries in this iPhone has significantly degraded."
The wording of these strings is particularly notable, as they explicitly refer to multiple batteries in the iPhone, rather than a single battery. This suggests that Apple may be actively developing hardware with a different internal architecture, one that would support a foldable display.
The idea of adding dual-battery support to an iPhone now makes sense in light of rumors that Apple plans to reveal its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Ultra, this fall. This new information, combined with previous discoveries in iOS 27, suggests that Apple is preparing to support a folding display.
Furthermore, the evidence continues to point towards a foldable iPhone with a dual-cell battery design. This is a common setup in book-style foldable smartphones, where the battery is split into two separate cells to make better use of the limited internal space.
While software references are not a guarantee of a feature or product's release, the accumulation of evidence from iOS 27 and supply chain reports suggests that a foldable iPhone is imminent. With just two months to go before the likely official announcement, it appears that Apple is taking the necessary steps to bring this innovative device to market.
