Every time Apple releases a new version of iOS, researchers and enthusiasts literally comb through its code line by line looking for clues about future products. The company has already officially presented the new iOS 27, and this time the findings turned out to be especially interesting.
iOS 27 confirmed active development of the foldable iPhone
What Was Found in the iOS 27 Code
Apple released the first iOS 27 beta for developers — and inside it, references were found that don’t correspond to any of the company’s existing devices. Enthusiast Sam Henri Gold was the first to notice mentions in system frameworks that directly point to foldable hardware. The publication 9to5Mac independently confirmed their existence.
iOS 27 is already revealing quite interesting details
The most curious thing: these strings were completely absent in iOS 26. They appeared right now, and not only in developer tools but also in the beta’s own code. Apple traditionally embeds such software groundwork several months before a hardware announcement — this is how traces of Face ID, Dynamic Island, and the always-on display previously surfaced in the system.
Which iOS 27 Features Point to a Foldable iPhone
According to 9to5Mac and MacRumors, quite specific elements were found in iOS 27:
- The foldState string — a system flag that describes the current state of the device: whether it’s folded or unfolded.
- The angleDegrees parameter — a value that records the body’s fold angle in degrees.
- Built-in display count — a new key that returns the total number of device screens, which makes sense for a gadget with two surfaces.
- A push for adaptive layouts — at the Platforms State of the Union session, Apple urged developers to move away from fixed-size layouts.
Perhaps the main confirmation of foldable iPhone development
At the same session, the company directly advised focusing on a dynamic range of sizes and aspect ratios. Resizable iOS apps appeared in iPhone Mirroring mode and on iPad, along with a new resizable simulator and updated previews in Xcode. Apple even prepared a dedicated skill for AI coding agents that helps find and fix adaptive layout issues. All of this makes sense if a future iPhone can unfold into a large inner screen.
The foldable iPhone could change Apple’s approach to multitasking
Foldable iPhone Specs: What’s Known So Far
Apple’s foldable smartphone, according to sources, will be called iPhone Ultra. It will be unveiled in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
When unfolded, the smartphone will resemble an iPad mini
The design is book-style: an inner screen of about 7.8 inches and an outer display of 5.5 inches. Instead of Face ID, the device will reportedly feature Touch ID, the body will be made of titanium, and the hinge will be based on a Liquid Metal alloy. Add to that a dual main camera, the latest A20 chip, and Apple’s own C2 modem.
The price tag promises to be record-breaking: the starting price is expected to be above $2,000, making the iPhone Ultra the most expensive iPhone in history. All specifications are still marked as “rumored” — Apple has not disclosed any official data.
Let’s be clear right away: everything listed above is circumstantial evidence, not an official confirmation. Apple fundamentally does not comment on products before their announcement. But such detailed software preparation in a public beta speaks volumes: the foldable iPhone project has clearly moved from the laboratory experiment stage to active development.
For the market, this means that Apple is finally ready to challenge the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Google Pixel Fold. At the same time, the company appears to be betting not on maximizing the unfolded screen size, but on body thinness and hinge reliability. The quality of the folding mechanism has traditionally remained a weak point for competitors, and this is where Apple has a chance to stand out.
Should You Wait for iPhone Ultra Instead of Buying iPhone 17
If you want to try something truly new, waiting for iPhone Ultra is definitely worth it
If you need an upgrade in the coming months — go ahead and get the current iPhone 17. The first generation of the foldable device will almost certainly be significantly more expensive than the familiar flagship lineup. And, as is usually the case with Apple’s revolutionary form factors, the gadget will only receive proper polish by the second or third generation.
However, if the form factor itself is important to you, it makes sense to wait for the official announcement — at least to see the real price and specifications rather than relying on leaks.
iOS 27 is not just an update with new emoji and an AI-powered Siri update. It appears that Apple is using the system as a software launchpad for one of the most notable reimaginings of the iPhone in the past decade. Keep an eye on the fall announcements: that’s likely when it will become clear just how close the foldable iPhone is to reality.
