Apple is preparing to launch its first foldable device, the iPhone Ultra, likely in September 2026. While Samsung recently debuted three new foldable models to maintain its market lead, leaked iOS 27 beta code and supply chain reports suggest Apple is developing a dual-battery architecture to power its upcoming foldable hardware.
The race for foldable dominance is intensifying as Apple moves toward a long-rumored entry into the category. While the company remains silent, evidence from the fourth developer beta of iOS 27 points to a significant departure from the single-battery design used in every current iPhone. This software shift coincides with Samsung’s aggressive expansion of its foldable lineup, creating a high-stakes showdown for the premium smartphone market.
iOS 27 Beta and the Dual-Battery Architecture
Deep within the iOS 27 beta code, Macworld discovered new Battery Health strings that explicitly reference a multi-battery system. Unlike current models, these strings are designed for a device where batteries are plural, suggesting a hardware layout where separate cells operate independently. The code strings explicitly state that they are intended for a multi-battery iPhone, alongside the existing references to single-battery designs.
Other discovered strings indicate that the software can detect when the health of the batteries in this iPhone has significantly degraded or if one of the batteries is not a genuine Apple part, including mentions of authenticity verification. This architecture aligns with standard book-style foldables, which typically split battery cells on either side of the hinge to maximize internal space. This discovery follows earlier iOS 27 references to fold states and angle detection, further suggesting that Apple is prepping for a folding display.
Samsung’s Three-Phone Foldable Offensive
The new lineup consists of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the productivity-focused Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the clamshell Z Flip 8. These devices were unveiled at a special event in London, as reported by Sean Keach, Head of Technology and Science for The Sun.
| Model | Price (UK) | Key Features | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | Price not specified | 8-inch inner display, 200MP main camera | 5,000mAh |
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 | Price not specified | 7.6-inch inner display, “passport-style” design | 4,800mAh |
| Galaxy Z Flip 8 | Price not specified | 4.1-inch cover screen, clamshell design | 4,800mAh |
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 features a shorter and wider “passport-style” design that prioritizes practicality and makes the device easier to carry and operate with one hand. Samsung stated this aspect ratio is meant for playing games and consuming content like social media and videos. The Fold 8 is squatter than the Fold 8 Ultra, sporting a 5.5-inch front screen compared to the Fold 8 Ultra’s 6.5-inch panel, and a 7.6-inch main inside screen versus the 8-inch screen on the Ultra model.
All three Samsung models utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 5) processor. The $1,899 Fold 8 and $2,099 Fold 8 Ultra are book-like foldables, while the $1,199 Flip 8 features a clamshell style.
iPhone Ultra: Pricing and Market Projections
Apple’s entry into the market is expected to be a high-margin play. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg indicates that the iPhone Ultra will likely cost more than $2,000 (or £2,000 in the UK), positioning it as a direct competitor to Samsung’s Ultra models.
This pricing strategy may allow Apple to increase its average selling price, even if it ships fewer foldables than its standard iPhones.
Production Hurdles and Launch Timelines
Despite the momentum, the iPhone Ultra’s arrival is not without risk. Apple is set to unleash the new iPhone 18 series on September 9 (2026), and this series might come with more than five variants, including the iPhone 18, iPhone Ultra, and iPhone 18 Pro Max, along with a foldable device. While some insiders are zeroing in on September 8 for the announcement, other reports state Apple could push things to September 9 because September 8 lands right after the Labour Day weekend.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg stated that Apple has almost always picked the first Tuesday or Wednesday after Labour Day for its iPhone events to get phones into stores by mid-September for the holiday shopping stretch. However, production issues may complicate the rollout. A report from DigiTimes claims that the iPhone Ultra’s launch is once more in question, with assembler Foxconn still making “adjustments” to its mass production plans.
The engineering validation process, specifically regarding the foldable display and hinge, could potentially delay the device by up to two months. While a report from July 2026 sought to ease fears that Apple would miss its fall release window, other reports indicate Apple had recently increased its orders for the vapor cooling system that would be used in its debut foldable. This creates a scenario where Apple may announce the iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series in September but delay actual shipping until October or November.
The critical question remaining is whether Apple can resolve these hinge and display “hiccups” in time to hit the holiday shopping window, or if the iPhone Ultra will trail the rest of the 18-series launch.
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