iPhone Fold to pack Apple's biggest smartphone battery yet, here's how large it will be

Apple's rumored iPhone Fold will feature a massive 5,500 mAh battery, nearly 10% larger than any iPhone before it, potentially giving it exceptional battery life despite its foldable design.

According to a new rumor from China, the iPhone Fold will pack a 5,500 mAh battery, making it Apple's largest smartphone battery to date. This aligns with previous November rumors that suggested the battery would be between 5,400 mAh and 5,800 mAh, with today's report settling on the middle ground of 5,500 mAh.

To put this in perspective, the current largest iPhone battery belongs to the eSIM-only iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the Fold's battery would be almost 10% bigger than that. This is particularly noteworthy given Apple's historical approach to battery capacity, which has typically prioritized efficiency over raw capacity compared to Android competitors.

The significance of this battery size becomes even more apparent when considering the iPhone Fold's expected specifications. The device is rumored to feature a 7.8-inch inner screen and a 5.5-inch cover display, along with two 48MP rear cameras, two 18MP selfie cameras, the A20 Pro chipset, and 12GB of RAM. These are substantial specs for a foldable device, and the generous battery capacity suggests Apple is taking battery life seriously for this form factor.

Given iOS's reputation for efficiency compared to Android, the iPhone Fold's 5,500 mAh cell may very well let the device outlast its competition by some margin. This could be a crucial differentiator in the foldable market, where battery life has often been a compromise due to the additional components and larger screens.

The iPhone Fold is expected to launch later this year, though Apple has not officially confirmed the device. If these battery rumors prove accurate, it would represent a significant shift in Apple's battery strategy and could help address one of the main concerns consumers have about foldable devices.

For comparison, most current foldable phones from competitors like Samsung and Google typically feature batteries in the 4,000-4,400 mAh range. A 5,500 mAh battery would give Apple's foldable a substantial advantage in terms of battery life, potentially making it more practical for all-day use despite the power demands of its dual screens and advanced camera system.

The combination of Apple's software optimization and this larger battery capacity could result in a foldable iPhone that doesn't compromise on battery life - a claim that few, if any, current foldables can make with confidence.