Apple Delays the Silly Big Foldable iPad
Mark Gurman
On one hand, I always thought it might make sense for Apple's first "foldable" device to be a tablet, given that the product line is less critical (and thus, more open to experiments) than the iPhone lineup. And the fact that Apple actually has a tablet business with the iPad, whereas many other companies merely think they do. On the other hand, I thought it would be a small foldable tablet, not a "giant" one. That device, perhaps unsurprisingly, is having development issues, it seems:
Apple Inc.’s effort to reinvent the iPad by adding a giant foldable screen has hit development hurdles, potentially delaying the planned launch.
The company has been working on the device — projected to cost around $3,000 — for several years and had most recently aimed for a 2028 release. But engineering challenges tied to weight, features and display technology have pushed its potential debut to 2029 or later, according to people familiar with the matter.
Remember when a couple "key" Apple analysts thought such a device would be launching alongside the 'iPhone Fold' in 2026? Yeah... lol. As I wrote in March:
Back to Pu's other foldable he thinks is coming in 2026 (which is not coming in 2026). Even if Apple could figure out a way to create an 18.8" foldable device, how much do we think that would cost? The 13" iPad Pro starts at $1,299. My guess is that the 'iPhone Fold' – again, with a 7.8" screen – will cost at least $1,999 to start. And quite likely more than that. An 18.8" foldable device would undoubtedly be at least $2,999 and probably a lot more than that. Perhaps even beyond the Vision Pro's $3,499 range. And what's the market for such a device?
Yes, many Macs are above that price range, but that's mainly for professionals. Are professionals going to use a first-generation foldable touchscreen? Will it feature a fully touch-based keyboard when folded? I mean, eventually, sure. But not in 2026. And probably not 2027 either.
And probably not 2028 either. Nor 2029...
I'm guessing such a device, if it ever sees the light of day, is more a next decade thing. And that's perhaps, in part, because Apple's actual first 'Fold' is thought to be an iPhone that unfolds into something more akin in size to an iPad mini. So it is sort of a smaller foldable tablet, in a way. Though we'll see how Apple markets it...
But one thing it's not, per Gurman's report:
Apple is working with Samsung Display Co. to develop the roughly 18-inch panel for the device, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the work isn’t public. The screen minimizes the crease seen on foldable displays, matching an approach that Apple is also using with its upcoming foldable iPhone.
18 inches?! I mean, I guess that would be cool as a portable external monitor. But who wants/needs a tablet that large? Would it be meant to be used with an external keyboard and trackpad when fully unfolded? And while I know the Huawei "MateBook" (lol) and others exist as a sort of half-fold tablet/laptop thing, this also just seems like it could be the TouchBar debacle on steroids for Apple.
Unlike the foldable iPhone, prototypes of the new tablet — internally code-named J312 — don’t include an external display. When closed, the device resembles a Mac laptop, with an aluminum enclosure on both sides. When opened, it’s about the size of a 13-inch laptop.
Okay. So it's a MacBook that's decidedly thicker and heavier and more expensive and undoubtedly would be more of a challenge to operate as a laptop. Sounds great. But hey, the entire thing is a touch screen. Cool? Maybe for a demo, but for actual usage?
Engineers are also concerned about the weight of current foldable iPad prototypes. While today’s iPad Pro ranges from about 1 to 1.3 pounds depending on size, test units of the foldable product weigh around 3.5 pounds. That’s roughly the same as a MacBook Pro.
Again, who wants this? Apple would be far better suited to simply ship a touchscreen MacBook – which it sure sounds like they're on the verge of doing next year.