Foldable iphone hints emerge: macos 27 reveals key clues
The rumor mill surrounding Apple's long-awaited foldable iPhone, often dubbed the 'iPhone Ultra,' just got a significant jolt. Forget cryptic supply chain leaks – Apple itself appears to be dropping breadcrumbs within the early betas of its macOS 27 operating system, sparking renewed speculation about a possible imminent launch.
Iphone mirroring gets a major upgrade
The initial revelation came courtesy of Aaron Perris, who discovered a significant update to the iPhone Mirroring feature in macOS 27. Users can now resize the mirrored iPhone display to a horizontal orientation, essentially mimicking the aspect ratio of an iPad – or, more intriguingly, a widescreen foldable device. This seemingly minor change carries considerable weight, suggesting Apple is actively preparing for a device with a form factor beyond the traditional rectangular slab.
But the macOS hints don't stop there. Digging deeper into the iOS 27 beta frameworks, Sam Henri Gold unearthed even more compelling evidence. These frameworks contain references to “foldState” and “angleDegrees,” terms that would be utterly superfluous for current iPhone models, which, let's be clear, all sport a single, fixed display.
The implications are clear: Apple is testing software functionality specifically designed to accommodate a foldable screen. While the company has traditionally remained tight-lipped about unreleased products, these signals, coming directly from Apple’s own software, are about as close to an official confirmation as we’re likely to get for now. The question isn’t if the iPhone Ultra will arrive, but when.
Speculation around the iPhone Ultra’s hardware has been rife for some time. Leaks suggest a dual-screen design, potentially featuring a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch external screen—a configuration that would differentiate it from competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series and Google’s Pixel Fold, which generally employ a single, larger display that folds in half.
The design itself is expected to be wider and shorter than existing foldables—a departure from the taller, more rectangular designs favored by competitors. This could potentially address some of the usability concerns surrounding existing foldable devices, offering a more comfortable grip and improved one-handed operation. While Samsung and Huawei have already explored wider foldable designs, Apple’s entry into the market would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the industry.
My colleague Sebastian recently argued for Apple to “let the teasers out and show the curves, hinges, and mostly software of its foldable.” While a dramatic unveiling mirroring Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event feels unlikely given Apple’s notoriously controlled product reveal strategy, the macOS 27 revelations suggest something is brewing. The current silence from Cupertino isn’t a denial, but rather a carefully orchestrated prelude to a product that promises to redefine the smartphone landscape.