iOS hides "folding" Easter eggs everywhere, Apple's next revolutionary device is on the horizon

According to Zhitong Finance APP, the WWDC 2026 conference has just concluded, and Apple (AAPL.US) has released the latest iOS 27 and related system updates, which for the first time send a clear signal to the outside world, indicating that a foldable iPhone is on the way. The system not only contains code related to foldable hardware but also introduces features specifically designed for large flexible displays.

Reportedly, this new device will bring a new form to the iPhone product line, which has been around for nearly twenty years, and is expected to debut in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series. The starting price is approximately $2,000, and it will compete with foldable smartphones from manufacturers like Samsung Electronics (SSNLF.US).

Currently, a series of system-level clues and new features indicate that as the product release date approaches, Apple is accelerating the development of this project.

Software researcher M1Astra discovered hidden files in the first developer beta of iOS 27 and shared relevant information. These files contain code strings used to determine whether the device is in a folded or unfolded state.

One internal mechanism is referred to as "foldState." Additionally, there are two parameter entries, "mechanicalAngleDegrees" and "angleDegrees," suggesting that the system can detect the angle at which the device unfolds around its hinge.

This operating system also includes instructions related to Apple's updated repair tools, which are used to fix iPhone displays. In iOS 27, this tool mentions a secondary display, a second cover glass, and two new light sensors.

The publicly released version of iOS 27 also includes several features that are highly compatible with foldable devices.

For example, some widgets now support full-page display, allowing applications like music, news, and weather to occupy the entire main screen. This design will be particularly prominent on the foldable iPhone, as the larger screen can accommodate two side-by-side panels.

In the macOS 27 "Golden Gate" version, Apple has upgraded the iPhone mirroring feature, allowing users to adjust the connected phone interface to an iPad-sized layout. Previous reports indicated that supporting an iPad-like display ratio would be an important aspect of the foldable iPhone experience.

During a platform technology keynote aimed at developers, Apple also emphasized the concept of "adaptive applications." The goal is to help developers design software that can adapt to a wider range of screen sizes and aspect ratios.

"Developers no longer need to develop separately for specific devices or fixed landscape/portrait orientations; they only need to adapt to dynamically changing screen sizes and aspect ratios," Apple stated during the conference.

These clues appear in Apple's latest operating system because the system is preparing for future hardware products. Similar signals have also emerged in wearable devices like AirPods and smart glasses that are set to be equipped with cameras.

For instance, the next-generation Vision Pro operating system is capable of recognizing and analyzing real-world objects around the user—this feature aligns closely with Apple's research direction in the wearable device field Wall Street is Abuzz: Foldable Screens May Create Nearly $100 Billion Incremental Market for Apple

For Wall Street, the arrival of the foldable iPhone is not just a technology showcase, but a long-awaited growth booster.

In fact, as early as when it was revealed that Apple was developing a foldable iPhone, several top investment banks on Wall Street were already optimistic about the incremental market that this revolutionary device would bring.

Goldman Sachs emphasized in a research report released earlier this year that Apple is entering a "super upgrade cycle" driven by the anticipation of foldable smartphones and the rollout of AI features.

Citigroup analyst Atif Malik's prediction is more specific: the foldable iPhone is expected to debut at the fall 2026 launch event alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, with a starting price of around $2,000 and an initial shipment volume of about 8 million units, accounting for approximately 3% of the total iPhone shipments that year. As production capacity ramps up and market acceptance increases, shipments are expected to rise to 20 million units in 2027.

Morgan Stanley's expectations are even more aggressive. Analyst Erik Woodring predicts that the foldable iPhone could generate $40 billion to $60 billion in incremental revenue for Apple within the next 18 months