The fourth developer beta of iOS 27 has sparked excitement among tech enthusiasts as code strings point to an iPhone with two internal batteries, rather than the traditional single cell. Discovered initially by Macworld and confirmed by MacRumors, the beta includes phrases such as "The batteries in this iPhone are performing as expected" and "The health of the batteries in this iPhone has significantly degraded," all using plural references absent in current models.
Code strings hint at separate battery management and replaceability
In the Battery Health section of iOS 27, new messages appear. One notable string reads: "The health of the batteries in this iPhone has significantly degraded, and one of the batteries could not be verified as a genuine Apple battery." This suggests that each battery can be monitored and potentially replaced individually, lowering repair costs by swapping only the failing cell.
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Link to the rumored foldable iPhone Ultra with dual-cell specs
Analysts widely believe these references belong to the upcoming iPhone Ultra, Apple's first foldable device. According to leaks, this model will use two lithium-ion cells: one 1,921 mAh and another 2,962 mAh, totaling 4,883 mAh. Foldable smartphones typically house one battery in each half, and Apple is expected to follow that design. The dual-battery architecture is already common among competitors like Samsung and Huawei.
Implications for repairability and device autonomy
The ability to replace a single battery could transform Apple's service model. Currently, users with degraded batteries must replace the entire pack, but with two independent cells, repairs could be more targeted and affordable. Moreover, intelligent software management might balance power draw between the two batteries, extending overall lifespan. It remains unclear whether the cells are wired in series or parallel, but the iOS 27 code indicates independent health tracking for each.
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Apple has previously introduced battery health monitoring, but the plural form is a first. Macworld suggests the strings were deliberately added ahead of the iPhone Ultra launch, expected this September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. The reference to "batteries not verified as genuine" also hints that Apple will extend its component authentication to each individual cell.
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For more on Apple's battery longevity, check the article about iPhone 16 and 17 and battery limits. Additionally, the evolution of Apple's processors is discussed in Apple's abandoned M2 Extreme chips. The iOS 27 beta reveals much more than just batteries: the future of mobile is already being coded.
The revelation of dual batteries in the iPhone Ultra marks a significant step in foldable design. Apple appears to be focusing on both high capacity and modular repairability, addressing one of the most common consumer concerns. While still in beta, the code leaves little doubt: the next iPhone may indeed house two batteries.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/20/ios-27-dual-battery-iphone
