News in Short

• Apple’s iOS 27 developer beta contains references linked to foldable device functionality.
• Code strings suggest the system can detect folding states and screen configurations.
• The findings point to a possible foldable iPhone running iOS 27.

Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone may finally be getting closer to reality. Hidden references discovered inside the iOS 27 developer beta suggest Apple is actively preparing software support for a foldable device. The findings have sparked fresh speculation that the company could unveil its first foldable iPhone during its expected September product launch event.

The discovery comes shortly after Apple introduced iOS 27 at WWDC 2026. While the company did not mention any foldable hardware during the keynote, newly uncovered code hints that something larger could be in development behind the scenes.

What Was Found Inside iOS 27?

Researcher @M1Astra reportedly found several code references buried within the iOS 27 developer beta. These include terms such as “foldState,” “mechanicalAngleDegrees,” “angleDegrees,” and “MGGetLogicalDeviceDisplayCount.”

Taken together, these references appear to describe software features designed to understand a device’s physical position and display setup.

For example, “foldState” could help the operating system identify whether a device is folded or unfolded. Meanwhile, “mechanicalAngleDegrees” and “angleDegrees” appear related to measuring how far the device has been opened. Another reference suggests the software can determine how many displays are active at a given time.

Although Apple has not confirmed the purpose of these code strings, they align closely with functionality commonly found in foldable smartphones.

Does This Mean a Foldable iPhone Is Coming?

Not necessarily. Software references alone do not confirm a product launch. Companies often test future technologies years before they reach consumers.

However, the timing is notable.

Apple unveiled iOS 27 only days ago. If these references are tied to upcoming hardware, the software would already be preparing to support it. As a result, many observers believe the foldable iPhone could be part of Apple’s next hardware cycle.

The company traditionally introduces new iPhones in September. Therefore, attention is now turning toward Apple’s fall event for potential announcements.

Why Is the Foldable iPhone Generating So Much Interest?

Apple remains one of the few major smartphone brands without a foldable phone.

Meanwhile, competitors have spent years refining their products. Samsung introduced its first Galaxy Fold in 2019 and has continued to improve the lineup. Other manufacturers, including Huawei, have also expanded their foldable portfolios.

As a result, expectations for Apple’s entry are unusually high.

Consumers increasingly focus on portability, durability, and thickness when evaluating foldable devices. A foldable phone offers more screen space, but users also want a device that remains easy to carry.

Could Apple Focus on a Thinner Design?

Apple has consistently pushed toward thinner hardware designs. That strategy could play a key role in a future foldable iPhone.

Last year, the company introduced the iPhone Air, which measures just 5.6 millimeters thick. If Apple applies similar engineering to a foldable device, it could potentially compete with some of the slimmest foldables currently available.

That possibility matters because device thickness remains one of the biggest challenges facing foldable smartphones today.

What Happens Next?

For now, Apple has not officially acknowledged the foldable iPhone. The evidence comes entirely from code discovered within the iOS 27 developer beta.

Still, the findings provide one of the strongest software-based clues yet that Apple may be preparing for a new hardware category. With September approaching, industry watchers will be paying close attention to see whether the long-rumored foldable iPhone finally makes its debut.