- iOS 27 beta reportedly contains identifiers for six unreleased iPhone models.
- The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could launch this autumn with Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
- The standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e may not arrive until early 2027.
- Battery and display references could point to new power management and foldable hardware.
Apple may have accidentally given us the clearest look yet at its next generation of iPhones. References found inside the latest iOS 27 beta reportedly point to six unreleased models, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18e, iPhone Air 2 and the much rumoured iPhone Ultra.
The discovery comes from system files connected to battery management and Battery Intelligence features. While Apple has not announced any of these phones, the appearance of their internal identifiers suggests that development is well underway and that iOS is already being prepared for the hardware expected to arrive over the next year.
Six new iPhone models appear in iOS 27
According to Macworld, iOS 27 beta 5 contains references to six unreleased iPhone models. The devices reportedly appear under Apple’s internal identifiers rather than consumer facing product names.
The list includes the iPhone Air 2 under the identifier V62, the iPhone 18 Pro as V63, the iPhone 18 Pro Max as V64, the standard iPhone 18 as V67, the iPhone Ultra as V68 and the iPhone 18e as V69.
That is an unusually broad set of references for an iOS beta. Apple routinely prepares its operating system for future hardware well before devices become public, so the discovery does not necessarily mean every model is ready for launch. However, it does provide another indication that these products are part of Apple’s current development plans.
The most interesting name on the list is arguably the iPhone Ultra. Apple has been linked to a foldable iPhone for some time, with reports suggesting that the company could introduce its first foldable device as a premium model rather than adding it to the existing numbered range.
Apple’s iPhone launch strategy could look very different
The biggest change may not be the number of models Apple is developing, but when those models are expected to arrive.
Apple has traditionally unveiled its main iPhone family together in the second half of the year. This time, however, reports suggest the company could split its releases across two periods.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to remain part of Apple’s premium autumn launch, potentially joined by the first foldable iPhone. The standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could then arrive in early 2027.
The iPhone Air 2 is also reportedly in development, although it is not currently expected to appear at Apple’s upcoming autumn event.
If this schedule is accurate, Apple could be preparing a major change to the way it positions its iPhone range. Rather than launching every model at once, the company could use its most expensive devices to drive attention in the autumn before bringing more affordable options to market several months later.
That strategy would give Apple more room to differentiate its premium products, particularly if the foldable iPhone commands a significantly higher price than the existing Pro models.
Battery code may hint at Apple’s next hardware changes
The iOS references were reportedly discovered in files associated with battery drivers and Apple’s Battery Intelligence system. That is significant because software needs to understand the battery characteristics of upcoming hardware before those devices reach consumers.
Earlier iOS 27 beta discoveries have also pointed towards support for foldable displays and multiple batteries. A multiple battery configuration would make sense for a foldable iPhone, where Apple may need to distribute battery capacity across different sections of the device.
It is important not to read too much into these references. Software support can be added during development and later changed or removed. Internal identifiers also do not reveal the final specifications, pricing or launch dates.
Still, the combination of the six model identifiers, previous foldable display references and reported multiple battery support paints a compelling picture. Apple appears to be preparing iOS for a much broader range of iPhone hardware than the company currently sells.
What happens next for the iPhone 18 family
Apple has not confirmed any of these devices, and its plans could change before the products are announced. The company is expected to reveal more about its next iPhone generation at its upcoming autumn event, which would provide the first official details.
For now, the iOS 27 beta leak strengthens the case that Apple is working on a substantial expansion of its iPhone range.
The standard iPhone 18 may not be the star of the next launch either. If the current reports are accurate, the spotlight could instead fall on the iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
The reported appearance of the iPhone Ultra is particularly notable. If Apple does use that name for its foldable device, it could signal a new top tier for the iPhone family, positioned above the Pro Max and aimed squarely at customers willing to pay for a completely different form factor.
For consumers, the bigger question is whether Apple’s staggered launch strategy will make the iPhone lineup easier to understand or more complicated. Either way, iOS 27 is giving us an increasingly detailed preview of what Apple could have planned for the next chapter of the iPhone.
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