Apple's Foldable iPhone could feature a competitive powerhouse battery
Apple's rumored foldable iPhone could feature a record-setting battery and ultra-thin design, potentially costing over $2,000 and launching in late 2026.
Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone could include some milestone features, including the largest battery ever installed on a handset for the brand, and an ultra-thin design.
The Weibo source, Dingzhuo Digital, via MyDrivers, recently detailed that the foldable iPhone could include a battery with a capacity between 5,000 and 5,500mAh.
The rumored cell could be a power jump from the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which features a 4,685mAh battery. However, it could be on par with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is notably rumored to also have a 5,000mAh battery.
The informant also noted that Apple may consider using a silicon-carbon technology for the device to boost its battery size without affecting the folded width. Analyst Ming Chi-Kuo suggested in March that the device could have dimensions between “9–9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5–4.8mm when unfolded.”
Wccftech noted that Apple is typically known for being conservative with its battery technology, preferring to use software optimization to maintain battery power on devices, while outfitting models with smaller power cells than their Android counterparts. However, as its devices have gotten larger and more complex, its batteries have gotten on par with some competitors' size-wise.
Samsung recently announced its Galaxy Z Fold 7 as its thinnest foldable to date, featuring a 4,400mAh battery. The device is 8.9mm in folded width, compared to the rumored approximate 9.5mm width of the foldable iPhone.
The foldable is also potentially gearing up to be Apple’s most expensive model to date, with the source indicating that the device could cost 15,000 yuan, which converts to approximately $2,090. A prior report from UBS analysts projects that the foldable iPhone could sell for between $2,000 and $2,400 based on its $759 bill of materials. This puts the device once again in a similar range to Samsung’s flagship foldable. Its base model starts at $1,999.
The foldable iPhone is expected to launch during the second half of 2026.