iPhone Ultra Battery News, Must-Know iOS Tips & How to Install iOS 27 Public Beta 1
This week: iPhone Ultra Battery News, Must-Know iOS Tips & How to Install iOS 27 Public Beta 1
NEWSLETTER
7/14/202611 min read
Newsletter #4
iPhone Ultra Battery News, Must-Know iOS Tips & How to Install iOS 27 Public Beta 1
Welcome to the 4th edition of the Tech With Eugene newsletter! 💙
First of all, a big welcome to everyone who joined recently. You should have already received my welcome email and the previous newsletters, but I’m really happy to have you here. I hope this newsletter helps you discover new Apple tips, hidden features, and the latest news every week.
This is already the fourth newsletter I’ve written, and I’m always looking for ways to make it even better. If you have any feedback, ideas, or topics you’d love me to cover, just hit reply to this email. I read every message, and I’d genuinely love to hear from you.
Starting with this newsletter, I’m introducing a new weekly section with useful iOS tips. Every week, I’ll share a new tip or hidden feature to help you get even more out of iOS and your iPhone.
Now, let’s dive into the biggest Apple news, updates, and highlights from the past week.
The new foldable iPhone Ultra
Apple is working on its first foldable iPhone, which could be called the iPhone Ultra. It’s expected to launch this fall alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
If you haven’t heard of a foldable phones before, it’s exactly what it sounds like: an iPhone that folds in half. When it’s closed, you use it like a regular iPhone with a smaller outer display. Open it up, and you get a much larger screen that’s almost the size of an iPad mini. In other words, it’s like having an iPhone and a small iPad in a single device.
What are the details?
The iPhone Ultra is expected to feature a book-style, passport-shaped design with a 4:3 aspect ratio. That means it will be wider than it is tall, giving it a different look from the foldable phones currently on the market.
When closed, you’ll reportedly use a compact 5.5-inch outer display. Open it up, and a much larger 7.8-inch OLED display takes over. That’s only slightly smaller than the 8.3-inch iPad mini, so it could feel like carrying a small iPad in your pocket.
What makes the design even more impressive is how thin Apple is reportedly making it. According to leaks shared by Instant Digital, the iPhone Ultra could measure just 4.5mm when unfolded, making it the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever created. The outer frame is expected to use titanium for extra strength, while aluminum could be used inside. On the back, a glass finish and a smaller iPhone Air-style camera plateau are expected to house two cameras positioned horizontally.
Apple may also move the volume buttons to the top-right edge of the device. The inner display is rumored to feature a single punch-hole camera, which could result in a much smaller Dynamic Island. On the right side, you’ll reportedly find Camera Control and a power button with Touch ID built in.
The large inner display could be one of the biggest reasons to choose this iPhone. Reports suggest Apple is developing iPad-style layouts and multitasking, allowing you to run apps side by side when the device is unfolded. With a screen almost the size of an iPad mini, this could make the iPhone Ultra a powerful device for working, browsing, watching content, and staying productive on the go. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has even described it as the most significant redesign in iPhone history.
Of course, making an iPhone this thin will likely come with a few compromises. We already saw something similar with the iPhone Air, which gave up features such as stereo speakers, a physical SIM card slot, and multiple rear cameras to achieve its ultra-thin design.
The iPhone Ultra is expected to face similar limitations. There may only be enough space for two 48-megapixel rear cameras, meaning the telephoto lens found on the Pro models could be missing. Apple is also rumored to be replacing Face ID with Touch ID in the power button because the thin design may not leave enough room for the full TrueDepth camera system.
These are significant compromises, especially for an iPhone that will likely sit at the very top of Apple’s lineup. But for people who want an iPhone and an iPad-style experience in one incredibly thin device, the iPhone Ultra could still be one of Apple’s most exciting products in years.
Newsletter #4
Image credit: FPT
Technical specs iPhone Ultra
For performance, Apple is rumored to equip the iPhone Ultra with the A20 chip and 12GB of RAM. This means that the iPhone Ultra is ready for the new Siri AI with all the advanced features. Buyers may be able to choose between 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB of storage, while the launch colors could be limited to just classic black and white. And this week, some new details came out about the battery capacity of the iPhone Ultra.
The iPhone Ultra is expected to use a two-part battery, with one battery placed in each half of the foldable design. Together, they could offer a total capacity of around 4,883mAh. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 has a 4,400mAh battery, while the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers 5,015mAh. That would place the iPhone Ultra somewhere in between, which sounds promising for such a thin foldable device.
This Week’s iOS Tips & Tricks
Welcome to my new weekly iOS tips section, where I’ll share useful tips, tricks, and hidden features to help you get more out of your iPhone. This week, I have two practical tips for you, starting with number one.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is happening right now, and there’s a really useful way to follow your favorite match directly from your iPhone.
Open the Apple Sports app and search for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Tap it to see the upcoming matches, choose the game you want to follow, and tap Follow. Once the match starts, the live score will appear in the Dynamic Island, so you can keep track of the game without keeping the Apple Sports app open. Alongside the live score, you’ll also see important match events, including fouls, free kicks, throw-ins, cards, and substitutions.
This feature isn’t limited to the FIFA World Cup. You can also use it to follow other supported sports, including Formula 1. Simply follow the event or your favorite team in the Apple Sports app, and live updates will appear in the Dynamic Island once it starts.
Note: Dynamic Island updates are only available on supported iPhones, starting with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Image credit: FPT
Scan documents with your iPhone
Did you know your iPhone has a built-in document scanner? You don’t need to download a separate app.
Here’s how it works:
1. Open the Apple Notes app.
2. Create a new note.
3. Tap the paperclip icon.
4. Choose Scan Documents.
5. Hold your iPhone above the document.
6. Your iPhone will automatically detect and scan the page.
7. Tap Save when you’re finished.
The scanned document will be added to your note, where you can save it, share it, or turn it into a PDF.
iOS 27 Public Beta 1 is out, but read this first!
iOS 27 Public Beta 1 is now available, which means you can start testing the new software on your iPhone.
Before you install it, there are a few important things to know. Beta software can still contain bugs, and some apps may not yet be fully optimized for iOS 27. This could affect apps you rely on every day, including banking apps, work apps, or other important services.
For that reason, I recommend installing iOS 27 Public Beta 1 on a secondary iPhone rather than your main device. That way, you can explore the new features without risking access to important apps, files, or personal data.
If you still want to install iOS 27 Public Beta 1 on your main iPhone, make sure you create a proper backup first.
It’s important to make this backup while your iPhone is still running the latest stable version of iOS, which is currently iOS 26.5.2. That gives you a safer way to restore your iPhone if you experience problems with the beta.
You can back up your iPhone using iCloud, a Mac through Finder, or iTunes on a Windows PC. A computer backup is especially useful because you can manage it more easily and use it to restore your iPhone if needed.
Difference between Dev Beta & Public Beta
Already using iOS 27 Developer Beta 3? You might be wondering if you should switch to iOS 27 Public Beta 1. The short answer is: no.
If you’re already running iOS 27 Developer Beta 3, there’s no need to install the Public Beta. Both versions use the same build number, which means they’re essentially the same software.
The Public Beta is mainly for people who decided to skip the earlier developer betas. Developer Beta 1 and Beta 2 were early test versions that weren’t stable enough for a wider public release. By the time Apple released Developer Beta 3, the software had become stable enough to also launch as the first Public Beta.
Keep in mind that even though it’s called a Public Beta, it’s still beta software. You may still experience bugs, reduced battery life, or apps that aren’t fully compatible yet. If you rely on your iPhone every day, it’s always a good idea to make a backup before installing any beta software.
How do I install it?
Ready to try iOS 27 Public Beta 1? Follow these steps:
1. Make sure you’ve backed up your iPhone first.
2. Visit beta.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
3. Enroll your iPhone in the Apple Beta Software Program (if you haven’t done this before).
4. Open Settings on your iPhone.
5. Go to General → Software Update.
6. Tap Beta Updates.
7. Select iOS 27 Public Beta.
8. Go back and tap Download and Install.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the installation to finish.
Once your iPhone restarts, you’ll be running iOS 27 Public Beta 1 and can start exploring all the new features. One small note: if you already enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program in the past, you can skip steps 2 and 3. The Beta Updates option should already be available in Settings.
Whats new in iOS 27 Public Beta 1
This is what's new in iOS 27 Public Beta
The all-new Siri AI
Siri has been completely rebuilt with Apple Intelligence. It features a beautiful new interface that appears around the Dynamic Island and can understand more natural conversations. To use it, you’ll need to join a waitlist after installing iOS 27.
New systemwide Liquid Glass slider
You can now adjust the Liquid Glass effect across the entire system. Move the slider toward Clear for a more transparent look or Tinted for better readability.
Big performance improvements
iOS 27 feels much faster and more responsive, with quicker animations, smoother scrolling, faster app launches, and overall better performance throughout the system.
Apple Intelligence everywhere
Apple Intelligence is now built into more apps than ever, including:
Home
Photos
Camera
Notes
Shortcuts
Safari
Wallet
And many more.
Expect smarter suggestions, AI-powered tools, and deeper integration throughout iOS.
Visual refinements
iOS 27 includes updated icons, improved readability, refined animations, and many small design tweaks that make the entire operating system feel more polished.
Screen Time gets a big upgrade in iOS 27
Apple is making Screen Time and child safety much easier to manage in iOS 27.
The redesigned dashboard gives parents a clearer overview of how their child uses an iPhone or iPad. It also makes it faster to change permissions without digging through multiple menus.
A new feature called Time Allowances lets parents set limits for app categories such as Games, Entertainment, and Social Media.
With Schedules, parents can decide which apps are available at certain moments of the day. For example, you can create different rules for school hours, evenings, and weekends.
Apple is also expanding its permission system. Ask to Browse allows children to request access before opening certain websites, similar to how Ask to Buy already works for apps and purchases.
Children can also ask for permission before contacting someone new.
Communication Safety already warns children when an image may contain nudity. In iOS 27, it can also step in when it detects graphic or violent content.
One important detail: everyone in the Family Sharing group will need to use the OS 27 software generation to access the redesigned features.
More useful iOS 27 features to try
iOS 27 also includes many smaller changes that can make everyday use better.
Messages can continue sending large photos and videos in the background, so you can keep sending new messages without waiting. Tapback notifications in group chats are also grouped together more neatly.
Photos adds full-quality Shared Albums, support for uploads from Windows and Android devices, keywords, star ratings, and more control over slideshows.
You can also pause a video and save any frame as a photo with one tap.
Alarm volume can now be adjusted separately from your normal system volume.
New extra-large widgets can take up an entire Home Screen page.
AirPods get a custom equalizer, letting you adjust the lows, mids, and highs to match your preferred sound. Sidenote: This requires to apply for the Beta Program for AirPods. You can enable that in AirPods Settings.
Your iPhone can connect directly to supported GymKit fitness equipment.
FaceTime can use the front and rear cameras at the same time on supported iPhone Air and iPhone 17 models.
The Home app also brings more reliable HomeKit Secure Video recording and support for compatible 4K security cameras when used with an eligible iCloud+ plan.
iOS 26.6 Beta 5 is also available.
Apple also released iOS 26.6 Beta 5 yesterday. This update is still in beta, but you can download it now if you want to test it.
iOS 26.6 is not a major update. It mainly includes bug fixes and performance improvements, but Apple has added a few smaller changes.
One new change is a limit for blocked contacts. If you try to block more than 20,000 contacts, your iPhone will show a warning that you have reached the maximum.
Apple is also working on a new anti-theft feature. It could automatically lock your iPhone when someone suddenly grabs it from your hand. The feature may use the iPhone’s motion sensors and a paired Apple Watch to detect when the device quickly moves away from you.
The update may also prepare the Spotlight search index that the new Siri AI will use in iOS 27.
That’s it for this week! If you know someone who would enjoy this newsletter, feel free to forward this email and invite them to join.
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