Apple's iOS 27 beta hints at potential foldable iPhone release

Apple’s long-awaited foldable iPhone may be on track for a fall release, according to hidden files discovered in the iOS 27 developer beta. The files, found by researcher @M1Astra, suggest that the software contains support for foldable devices. The iOS 27 operating system was unveiled on Monday at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Even though Apple has no foldable phones yet, the beta code includes references to “foldState,” “mechanicalAngleDegrees,” and “MGGetLogicalDeviceDisplayCount.” These technical terms suggest that the software is capable of interpreting whether a device is folded, the specific angle of its hinge, and how many displays the device is using. The discovery points to a possible hardware unveiling in September, when Apple typically introduces its new devices. The implication is that a possible foldable device would run iOS 27, which was unveiled at Monday’s keynote. The discovery of these hidden files suggests that Apple is preparing for a foldable device, which would mark the company’s entry into a market currently dominated by competitors like Samsung and Huawei.

If Apple does release a foldable device, it will enter a mature market where it faces high expectations. Competitors Samsung and Huawei have been producing foldable smartphones for over five years. Huawei, which is banned in the U.S., and Samsung have established a strong foothold in the category, meaning Apple’s first foldable device will face immediate comparison with highly refined hardware. For consumers, the thickness of foldable devices is important, as the allure of a second screen may not be as compelling as the ease of sliding a phone into a pocket.

But Apple has made progress in condensing the iPhone to as small a device as possible. Last year, the company unveiled its iPhone Air, which is only 5.6 millimeters deep—roughly the thickness of four dimes stacked together. If Apple utilizes a similar design for a foldable device, two stacked iPhone Air screens would measure approximately 11.2 millimeters deep. This thickness would make the potential foldable device thinner than almost any existing Samsung foldable model, with the exception of its newest two-screen model, the Galaxy Z Fold7.

Why it matters

Apple’s potential entry into the foldable market would challenge the long-standing dominance of competitors like Samsung and Huawei, signaling a significant shift in the high-end smartphone landscape.