A new leak from Weibo suggests Apple may be testing a larger, split battery system for its long-rumored iPhone Ultra. The information comes from a post by Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station, which says an Apple battery supplier recently filed two new battery models with capacities of 1,921 mAh and 2,962 mAh.
Combined, the two cells would provide a minimum rated capacity of 4,883mAh.
That figure lines up with earlier claims that Apple’s supply chain was preparing a battery in the 4,800mAh to 5,000mAh range. The post does not name the device directly beyond referring to the “iPhone Ultra,” and there is no confirmation that the cells will ship in a retail product.
A split battery could suit a foldable iPhone
The two-cell arrangement is the most interesting part of the leak. A conventional iPhone uses a single battery pack, but a foldable design would likely need separate cells on either side of its hinge.
Apple has been widely linked to a foldable iPhone for years, though its launch timing remains unclear. A dual-cell system would allow the company to use the available internal space more efficiently while maintaining balanced weight distribution across both halves of the device.
The listed capacities are also uneven. One cell is roughly 35% smaller than the other, suggesting the phone’s internal layout is not symmetrical. Camera hardware, a logic board, and other components could force Apple to use different-sized battery compartments.
The capacity would exceed that of the current iPhones
For context, recent Pro Max iPhones have generally shipped with batteries below 5,000 mAh for Nano SIM models, even as Apple has improved battery life through more efficient chips, displays, and modem hardware. A 4,883mAh minimum capacity would put this rumored model near the upper end of Apple’s smartphone battery designs.
Capacity alone does not determine endurance. Foldable phones typically use larger internal displays, and that extra screen area can quickly offset the added battery size. If this device uses a book-style design, its battery life may depend heavily on display efficiency and on how the software behaves when switching between the outer and inner panels.
The numbers also need careful interpretation. Chinese regulatory filings can reveal components before a device launches, but they do not always confirm the final product, branding, or release schedule. Apple could be evaluating the cells for prototypes, regional variants, or a product that is not called iPhone Ultra at all.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is still expected to face questions beyond battery size, including durability, crease visibility, camera compromises, and price. A near-5,000mAh battery would address one major concern, but it may also signal just how much power its larger display is expected to consume.
