Foldable iPhone to Feature Impressive Battery Life Despite Thinness

[MacRumors]

Apple is putting a heavy focus on improving power efficiency while slimming down key components in its upcoming foldable iPhone, with battery capacity now a key priority for the company, according to a new report citing sources within Apple's supply chain.

According to Korean news aggregator account "yeux1122" on the Naver blog, which has previously offered accurate insights into Apple's component strategy, Apple is specifically refining the display driver IC (DDI) used in its first foldable iPhone, with the goal of achieving a thinner overall design.

The DDI is a key component that converts digital signals from the device's processor into the analog signals needed to control the display's pixels. Improvements to the DDI can enable thinner panel assemblies, lower heat output, and reduced power consumption – all of which are critical in compact devices like foldables with multiple displays.

Multiple sources now agree on key specifications for Apple's first foldable iPhone, including a 7.8-inch main display when unfolded and a 5.5-inch cover display. The consensus comes from analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu, as well as the Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station. The agreement on the details suggest Apple may have finalized significant aspects of the device's hardware.

According to Kuo, the foldable iPhone will adopt a book-style design, opening horizontally like a Galaxy Z Fold, rather than the vertical clamshell form factor of Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip.

Jeff Pu reports that the device has recently entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn, a key stage in Apple's production timeline. Both Pu and Kuo anticipate mass production beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026, which opens the possibility of a limited launch as early as next year.

In terms of hardware, Kuo claims the foldable iPhone will feature two rear cameras, a single front-facing camera, and a Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button –suggesting Apple may skip Face ID for this model, likely to save internal space. It's expected to include a high-density battery and a titanium chassis, with the hinge constructed from a combination of titanium and stainless steel.

As for dimensions, Kuo believes the device will measure just 4.5mm thick when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when closed, making it notably thin compared to current foldables.

Apple's efforts to optimize hardware efficiency across its product lines are already in motion, with the iPhone 16e featuring its first custom-made C1 modem. Apple said the C1 modem is the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever, and it has held up fine in both real-world and simulated 5G speed test results.

Apple is on a mission to make the thinnest possible devices in each product category, beginning with the most recent iPad Pro and continuing later this year with the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to be the second device to use the C1 modem.

Article Link: Foldable iPhone to Feature Impressive Battery Life Despite Thinness

 

[sunapple]

It will probably either be "All day battery life" where Apple decided how long your day should be, or "The longest battery life ever in a folding iPhone" where the iPhone 6 is beaten by half an hour.

 

[iZac]

...and as a mini user myself, the battery will be even better running just the outer screen.

 

[godorowski]

My kids folded my iPad mini with no problem.

Apple sure know how to make foldable devices.

 

[m4mario]

We know Tim is going to say: "It is the best iPhone we've ever made."

 

[Fuzzball84]

We know Tim is going to say: "It is the best iPhone we've ever made."

And that were so excited to see what you do with iPhone

 

[reverse_juice_machine]

...and as a mini user myself, the battery will be even better running just the outer screen.

Outer screen? you thinking foldable iteration 5; due 2035, along with revamped siri

 

[ATmahe]

We know Tim is going to say: "It is the best iPhone we've ever made."

The best folding iPhone we ever made

 

[nottorp]

As a former sucker who bought an emoji keyboard macbook pro, which besides the super fragile keyboard, had a too short and thin display cable that tended to break, I'm going to grab some popcorn and wait for the class action lawsuit.

 

[thosmatthews]

I really don’t want a square iPhone. Clamshell for iPhone and book style for iPad makes the best sense I think.

Not fussed on a second screen either. Gimmicky. Not that folding isn’t!

 

[HouseLannister]

TouchID? No thanks.

 

[snipr125]

Good to see the rumour mill seriously start to crank up now with Apples first foldables. Its finally going to happen in Sept 2026, although by then the tech would be almost 10 years old! Better late than never i suppose.

 

[wbeasley]

I see Kuo has bought a new supply of sheep entrails to foresee all this happening...

 

[FlyingDutch]

A collection of unconfirmed rumors…

 

[MacRazySwe]

I want this. Happy they went with a foldable rather than flip design.

Probably going to cost an arm and a leg though… Better start saving! 😂

 

[toughboy]

SOLID. STATE. BATTERY.
I dont care how they solve the supply chain, but this is their answer to all battery related problems. (Including Apple Watch's so-called "all day battery life")

 

[cocky jeremy]

So, the trade off is that when you're using it normally, the screen is smaller? No thanks.

 

[Shalev Lazarof]

super pumped about this one.

 

[roland.g]

Why is the mock up so lazy and poorly produced.

 

[Mr Todhunter]

So, the trade off is that when you're using it normally, the screen is smaller? No thanks.

But the smaller screen will be the only reason I will buy it. I was expecting to be using my 12 mini until it dissolves in my hands from old age. now there is hope.

 

[cocky jeremy]

But the smaller screen will be the only reason I will buy it. I was expecting to be using my 12 mini until it dissolves in my hands from old age. now there is hope.

I guess it's good for you then, but I'll never comprehend wanting less/smaller content on a phone.

 

[ph001bi]

Removing Face ID on a 2026 device sounds like a recipe for a commercial disaster. "This is the best iPhone we ever made, now we 2012 technology".

 

[arthurgd3]

We know Tim is going to say: "It is the best iPhone we've ever made."

Best? Likely not but I can see him waxing poetically with other choice words, maybe most ambitious iPhone we've ever made? Most courageous? The Apple dictionary is full of these choice words.

 

[Mr Todhunter]

I guess it's good for you then, but I'll never comprehend wanting less/smaller content on a phone.

I only use it for calls, messages, music and for the camera. I don't use any social media whatsoever. Never watch videos, youtube, tiktok, or whatever. I have iPads for email, surfing, playing an occasional game, and of course reading (may sound incredible but I read approximately 9 hours a day). You see, we all have different needs.

 

[macduke]

Hmmm. So we’ll have the iPhone 17 Air this year—will this be the iPhone 18 Air Max? What do they call this thing?

Apple needs to improve on a few big things in other folding phones. The biggest need is display durability, followed by the crease, hinge durability, and being waterproof. Idk how possible any of these are. What I do know is that this thing is liable to have some issues in the first or second generation, while being prohibitively expensive.

I’ll probably pass, unless they somehow knock it out of the park. What I do know is that this has the potential to be a very popular device, as long as the price isn’t too crazy, or comes down over time. Why? The software. Android doesn’t come close to the tablet software that Apple has—the huge app ecosystem, and the universal binaries that make it all seamless. I’m currently making my first game, started with iPhone, and it only took me a day to get it mostly working on iPad and another day to get it polished. Same for Apple TV, which would’ve been faster if not for having to figure out the remote and how to create an indexing system for the menus. Again, I’ve never done this before. The apps will make this device shine with how good they are for both phone and tablet modes compared to Android. That is a common thread I’ve seen in reviews of Android foldable, and it will not be a problem here.