While rumours around the iPhone Fold, aka iPhone Ultra, were already creating waves across the internet, last night’s unveiling of iOS 27 at WWDC 2026 has now apparently confirmed the existence of the device. At a time when most of the discussion is around Siri AI, Apple’s intelligence, and software updates, some developers have found one of the biggest clues about the long-rumoured foldable iPhone.
According to reports, hidden code inside the first developer beta of iOS 27 contains multiple references to a device that can fold and unfold. While Apple made no mention of a foldable iPhone during its keynote presentation, these discoveries are adding fuel to speculation that the company could finally enter the foldable smartphone market later this year.
Hidden code points towards a foldable iPhone
Software researcher M1Astra reportedly uncovered several references within iOS 27 that appear to describe the behaviour of a folding device. Among the code strings are terms such as “foldState,” “mechanicalAngleDegrees,” and “angleDegrees,” which seem to relate to tracking how widely a device is opened around a hinge.
The beta software also reportedly includes references within Apple’s repair tools that mention a secondary display, an additional glass cover, and two light sensors. These details may not mean much on their own, but together they paint a picture of a device with two display surfaces, a design commonly found in foldable smartphones.
The findings arrive amid growing reports that Apple is preparing its first foldable iPhone, which some rumours suggest could launch alongside the iPhone 18 lineup later this year.
New iOS 27 features may already be preparing for it
Interestingly, some of the features Apple officially announced at WWDC 2026 also seem to align with a larger-screen foldable device. With iOS 27, Apple is introducing the ability to expand certain widgets into a full-screen format for apps such as Music, Weather, and News. While useful on existing iPhones, the feature could make even more sense on a foldable device with significantly more screen space.
There are similar clues in macOS 27. Apple is updating its iPhone Mirroring feature, allowing the mirrored iPhone window to be resized into a wider layout that resembles an iPad-sized screen. Reports suggest this functionality could eventually support a foldable iPhone experience.
Apple also introduced a new App Adaptability framework designed to help developers optimise apps for different screen sizes and aspect ratios. Although Apple has not explicitly linked the feature to a foldable device, many observers believe it could be laying the groundwork for hardware with a larger and more flexible display.
For now, Apple remains silent on its foldable plans. However, if the clues hidden inside iOS 27 are any indication, the company may already be preparing its software ecosystem for a foldable iPhone long before officially announcing the device.
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