Apple’s iOS 27 beta 4 includes code references to a new iPhone model featuring a dual-battery system. The discovery suggests a shift in internal hardware architecture, likely to support an upcoming foldable “iPhone Ultra,” which reports indicate will use separate batteries on either side of a hinge.
Code Strings Signal Hardware Shift
The latest developer beta of iOS 27 contains explicit references to a multi-battery iPhone model, a departure from the single-battery design that has defined the product line. According to Macworld, the operating system now includes specific battery health and authentication strings intended for devices equipped with multiple internal power cells.
These strings appear alongside existing references to single-battery iPhones.
One of the strings mentions that the health of the batteries in this iPhone has significantly degraded,
and the code also mentions a situation where one of the batteries
may not be a genuine Apple part, according to Macworld.
This phrasing is notable for its pluralization. Every current iPhone model is designed with a single battery. The inclusion of software support for multiple batteries and the ability to monitor the health of each cell individually strongly suggests that Apple is actively developing a device with a different internal architecture.
Connecting the Hardware to the Foldable iPhone Ultra
The shift toward a dual-battery system is widely interpreted as a necessary adjustment for a foldable device. Industry reports have long suggested that a foldable iPhone Ultra
is in development, with an expected announcement as early as this September.
Technical experts and supply chain sources point out that book-style foldable smartphones typically split their batteries into two separate cells. Placing a battery on each side of the display hinge allows manufacturers to balance the weight and optimize the limited internal space available in a folding chassis.
Data from a regulatory filing indicates the potential battery capacities for this dual-cell setup: 1,921mAh and 2,962mAh, for a combined total of 4,883mAh.
Building Foundation in iOS 27
The battery code is not the first instance of iOS 27 hinting at upcoming foldable hardware. Earlier beta versions already included code related to angle detection and specific fold states, according to Macworld. These features suggest the operating system is preparing to manage how the interface behaves when the device is partially folded or fully opened.
Furthermore, Apple has been encouraging developers to optimize their applications for multiple screen sizes, a move that aligns with the requirements of a foldable display. While software references are not definitive confirmation of a product launch, the accumulation of evidence—from supply chain reports to these specific internal code strings—points toward a significant hardware pivot.
As the industry looks toward the expected early September announcement, the question remains how Apple will integrate these components into the final consumer device. For now, the software indicates that the company is building the infrastructure necessary to support, authenticate, and maintain a multi-cell power system, ensuring that the health of the batteries remains transparent to the user even when that power is split across a hinge.
Sources: 9to5mac.