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Apple ramps up vapor chamber orders for foldable iPhone Ultra and Twentieth Anniversary iPhone

16 July 2026 at 16:00
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature a new thermal management system includes an Apple-designed vapor chamber, delivering exceptional performance.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature a thermal management system that includes an Apple-designed vapor chamber, delivering exceptional performance.

Apple has significantly boosted its orders for vapor chamber cooling systems, primarily to support production of its highly anticipated first foldable iPhone, according to a Chinese supply chain leaker. The move also points to advanced thermal management in the company’s upcoming Twentieth Anniversary iPhone slated for 2027.

The information comes from the Weibo account “Fixed Focus Digital,” a source that has previously shared details about Apple’s foldable device. The increased orders will first go toward manufacturing the book-style foldable iPhone, internally referred to as the “iPhone Ultra,” which is on track for a September 2026 debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

Apple has reportedly instructed suppliers to prepare around 10 million units of the foldable iPhone for 2026, an increase from earlier projections of 7–8 million. This ramp-up signals strong confidence in the device’s production readiness despite the complexities of its folding mechanism.

Advanced Cooling for a Challenging Form Factor

Fixed Focus Digital previously indicated that the foldable iPhone would feature “impressive” vapor chamber cooling, with Apple “going all out” on its thermal design. This makes sense given the device’s expected thin profile when unfolded (rumored around 4.5–5mm) and the space constraints of a foldable chassis, which could limit traditional heat dissipation options.

Apple first introduced vapor chamber technology in the iPhone 17 Pro models last year. The system uses a small amount of deionized water to efficiently transfer heat away from the powerful A-series chip and spread it across the device’s aluminum frame, helping sustain high performance without thermal throttling.

The same cooling approach is now expected to extend to the foldable iPhone Ultra and potentially the 2027 anniversary iPhones, which are rumored to feature dramatic edge-to-edge displays with glass curving around all four sides for a nearly borderless look.

Broader Context and Timeline

The foldable iPhone is expected to include a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch cover screen, an A20 chip, and a Touch ID power button, with pricing likely starting near $2,000. Recent reports confirm that mass production is underway, with key components like OLED panels already in production at Samsung Display.

Meanwhile, Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhones are planned for two sizes similar to the iPhone 18 Pro models. These devices could mark a major redesign, potentially returning to an all-glass enclosure.

MacDailyNews Take: This latest leak aligns with Apple’s aggressive push into new form factors while maintaining the performance and reliability standards users expect from its flagship devices. As the September launch approaches, more details on the iPhone Ultra’s final specifications are likely to emerge from the supply chain.


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The post Apple ramps up vapor chamber orders for foldable iPhone Ultra and Twentieth Anniversary iPhone appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Apple iPhone Ultra foldable to feature 4,883mAh dual-cell battery, new leak claims

10 July 2026 at 20:38
3D render claiming to depict Apple's first foldable iPhone (image: Jon Prosser)
3D render claiming to depict Apple’s first foldable iPhone (image: Jon Prosser)

Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone Ultra — the company’s first foldable smartphone — is generating significant buzz as its expected September launch approaches. A fresh leak shared today provides new details on the device’s battery specifications, offering a clearer picture of how Apple plans to power its ambitious foldable design.

According to a Weibo post from well-known leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple’s battery supplier has submitted regulatory filings for two battery cells rated at 1,921mAh and 2,962mAh. Combined, these cells deliver a total capacity of 4,883mAh. This dual-cell configuration aligns with common designs in existing foldable phones, where separate batteries are typically placed in the two halves of the device to optimize weight distribution and space.

For context, this capacity positions the iPhone Ultra competitively against current foldables:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: 4,400mAh total

• Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: 5,015mAh

• Previous-generation Pixel 9 Pro Fold: 4,650mAh

While the iPhone Ultra’s total capacity falls between the Galaxy Z Fold7 and the latest Pixel Fold, real-world battery life will depend on numerous factors beyond raw mAh ratings. These include the efficiency of Apple’s custom silicon, the power demands of the foldable display (both when folded and unfolded), software optimizations in iOS, and overall device thickness and weight.

How It Compares to the Rest of the iPhone 18 Lineup

The same leak ecosystem has also revealed projected battery sizes for the standard iPhone 18 models, giving a broader view of Apple’s 2026 iPhone strategy:

• iPhone 18 Pro: ~4,288mAh (eSIM) or 4,056mAh (physical SIM) — modest gains over the iPhone 17 Pro

• iPhone 18 Pro Max: ~5,567mAh (eSIM) or 5,391mAh (physical SIM) — significantly larger than previous Pro Max models

• iPhone Ultra: 4,883mAh

The iPhone Ultra’s battery is notably smaller than the Pro Max’s, which makes sense given the engineering constraints of a foldable chassis. Apple is expected to prioritize thinness, durability of the hinge, and balanced weight over maximizing capacity.

Battery capacity represents just one piece of the puzzle. The iPhone Ultra’s unique form factor — featuring a large unfolded display — could introduce new power-management challenges and opportunities. Apple has a strong track record of delivering excellent battery life through tight hardware-software integration, so the final endurance figures may outperform what the raw numbers suggest.

MacDailyNews Take: The iPhone Ultra is rumored to launch alongside the iPhone 18 series in September 2026. While leaks continue to provide tantalizing details, official confirmation of specs, pricing, and real-world performance will only come from Apple itself at the launch event. Until then, the iPhone Ultra remains one of the most exciting product developments in Apple’s recent history!


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Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!

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The post Apple iPhone Ultra foldable to feature 4,883mAh dual-cell battery, new leak claims appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Apple Increases Vapor Chamber Orders for Upcoming Foldable iPhone

16 July 2026 at 17:28

There is a lot of heat inside a modern smartphone. Apple knows this, and it is reportedly taking steps to cool things down for its future devices. Recent reports from the supply chain show the company is ordering a lot more vapor chambers. These cooling parts are essential for keeping high-end devices from overheating, and […]

The post Apple Increases Vapor Chamber Orders for Upcoming Foldable iPhone appeared first on The Mac Observer.

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