New leaks suggest that the very first folding smartphone from Apple might not pack the giant battery everyone initially hoped for. Early reports hinted at a record-breaking power cell, but fresh details show the actual capacity could be noticeably smaller. Even with a lower number on the final spec sheet, the phone is still expected to easily last through a full day of regular use.
Regulatory filings reveal a smaller total battery capacity than expected
A reliable leaker known as Digital Chat Station recently shared new details on Chinese social media regarding the highly anticipated foldable iPhone. According to regulatory filings from an unnamed component supplier, the upcoming device will feature a total battery capacity of at least 4,883 mAh.
This exact number is quite a bit lower than previous reports. Back in February, sources claimed the new folding model would boast a massive 5,000 mAh battery to support the large internal screen. While the new supply chain numbers are a bit of a letdown for heavy users, hitting nearly 4,900 mAh inside an incredibly thin frame is still a solid engineering achievement.
The folding design splits power between two separate battery cells
Because the phone has to fold in half, the internal space is split into two sections. The regulatory documents show that the iPhone Fold will actually use two distinct batteries to run the device. One half of the chassis will house a smaller 1,921 mAh battery, while the other side will fit a larger 2,962 mAh cell.
Even though the total capacity falls short of those early 5,000 mAh rumors, the dual battery setup still offers plenty of juice. For comparison, the upcoming standard models are expected to feature a 4,288 mAh battery.
This means the folding iPhone will still pack about 14 percent more power than its traditional counterparts. If the manufacturer can optimize its software and the new display technology, buyers should have no problem getting reliable all day battery life out of the new hardware.
