Earlier reports predicted that Apple would equip its first foldable iPhone with a battery capacity of 5,400 mAh, or perhaps even 5,800 mAh, but that now appears to be inaccurate.

According to a new report, one of Apple's battery suppliers has registered two new batteries with capacities of 1,921 mAh and 2,962 mAh.

The total combined capacity is only 4,883 mAh, far lower than the 5,800 mAh that had previously excited many, according to a report by Phone Arena, a news site specializing in smartphones, as seen by Al Arabiya Business.

If this is the battery to be used in this year's foldable iPhone, Apple will likely market it as a 5,000 mAh battery, if the company chooses to disclose its capacity at all.

At present, there is no way to confirm whether this is the battery capacity the foldable iPhone will have when it launches later this year. However, the two-cell battery design strongly suggests this possibility.

Although a 4,800 mAh battery is not as poor as the ultra-thin iPhone Air's 3,149 mAh battery, it is not remarkable for 2026, a year when some manufacturers have already exceeded the 10,000 mAh mark in their phones.

What about the competition?

When comparing the foldable iPhone—rumored to be called 'iPhone Ultra'—to currently available foldable phones, it holds its own. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 from last year came with a 4,400 mAh battery, while Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a 5,015 mAh battery.

But at least nearly all indications suggest that Samsung will increase the battery capacity in the new generation of its flagship foldable. According to reports, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will feature a 5,000 mAh battery. Google is also likely to add modest battery capacity increases to its Pixel 11 series this year.

Notably, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, not the 'Ultra' version, which will directly compete with the iPhone Ultra, will have a 4,800 mAh battery, according to reports. Given the similarities between the two phones and the reason Samsung launched a wider version of its foldable, the iPhone Ultra is also expected to have a 4,800 mAh battery.

Apple typically avoids using round numbers that match competitors' offerings, so the capacity is more likely around 4,900 mAh. Ultimately, it does not matter much as long as the phone provides good screen-on time.

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