Apple is reportedly testing foldable iPhone prototypes equipped with unusually large batteries, potentially signaling a significant shift in its power strategy for an anticipated entry into the competitive foldable smartphone market.
Anonymous supply chain leaks suggest that current prototypes feature battery capacities ranging from 5,400 mAh to 5,800 mAh. This would mark a substantial increase over any previous iPhone model.
The current record holder among Apple’s standard phones is the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which offers a 5,088 mAh battery in its eSIM-compatible versions. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, by comparison, featured a 4,685 mAh battery.
This move would also place the rumored foldable iPhone ahead of many established competitors in the foldable segment. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, a prominent device in the market, comes with a 4,400 mAh battery.
While Android smartphones have commonly featured 5,000 mAh batteries for years, Apple has traditionally prioritized optimization over raw capacity. The company aims for its foldable device to be the “best” in the market, suggesting a focus on overcoming existing challenges in foldable technology.
Previous iPhone battery capacities have sometimes varied by region, with eSIM-only models allowing for larger batteries compared to versions that support physical SIM cards. It remains unclear if Apple will adopt an eSIM-only strategy for its foldable iPhone globally to maximize battery size.
Some less globally recognized foldable phones, such as the Honor Magic V5 (5,820 mAh) and Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design (5,600 mAh), currently offer comparable or slightly higher battery capacities than the top end of Apple’s rumored range.
Beyond battery life, reports indicate Apple is also concentrating on developing an improved hinge system that is more durable and less visible. The foldable iPhone is widely expected to launch next year after years of speculation.