iPhone Fold Tipped to Feature Largest Battery in iPhone History and New Button Layout [Report]

Apple may be preparing to break over a decade of muscle memory with its first foldable iPhone. While users have grown accustomed to finding volume controls on the left side of their device, new details regarding the foldable's chassis suggest a notable shift in layout that prioritizes battery life and engineering efficiency over tradition.



According to a new report from leaker Instant Digital on Weibo, Apple plans to relocate the volume buttons to the upper right edge of the device. This setup mirrors the button logic found on the iPad mini, placing the volume rockers on the same side as the Power button. Consequently, the left spine of the phone will reportedly be completely smooth and void of any physical inputs. The right rail is expected to be crowded, housing the volume keys, a dedicated AI or Capture button, and a Power button that integrates a fingerprint sensor. This corroborates earlier reports that Apple will utilize side-mounted Touch ID rather than Face ID to keep the device incredibly thin.


The decision to clear out the left side appears to be driven by the constraints of the hinge. The leaker explains that the main logic board is situated on the right half of the device. Running wiring across the folding mechanism to support buttons on the left was deemed inefficient or risky. However, this engineering compromise comes with a major upside: space. By removing components from the left side, Apple has reportedly maximized the internal volume dedicated to the battery. As a result, the iPhone Fold is tipped to feature the largest battery capacity ever in an iPhone. This tracks with previous supply chain rumors that Apple is validating 5,800mAh batteries to power the dual-screen form factor.

Visually, the device is shaping up to look distinct from the current flagship lineup. The report describes a horizontal rear camera arrangement featuring two lenses, a microphone, and a flash. Notably, the camera module is said to have a black background regardless of the phone's color, avoiding the color-matched bump seen on the iPhone 17 Pro. On the inside, the main flexible display is described as featuring a single, small circular cutout for the front-facing camera, using a cleaner and more compact active-area cutout process.

Currently, white is the only confirmed color option, though the leaker expects at least one other variation at launch. The device is currently slated for a debut in late 2026, where it will likely sit at the very top of Apple's pricing tier. It is expected to be powered by the A20 Pro chip and utilize an advanced titanium and liquid metal hinge to handle the stresses of folding.

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