Apple’s 10-inch foldable iPad and 20-inch foldable MacBook are in the works, suggests a report by The Elec. Well-known brands like Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo have all launched foldable phones. Brands like Lenovo and Asus have also released notebooks with foldable screens. However, Apple is yet to enter the foldable market.
There have been rumours for several years that Apple is working on a foldable iPhone. However, recent reports have claimed that the Cupertino company may have dropped plans to launch an iPhone with a foldable screen. Instead, it is now said to be working on a foldable display version of an iPad and a MacBook.
Foldable MacBook, Foldable iPad: What to expect?
Apple’s 20-inch and 10-inch foldable devices could be in works
According to the above-mentioned South Korean publication, Apple has started developing a 20-inch device with a foldable panel. In addition, there is a smaller device with a foldable screen.
The report states that the 20-inch model has a 20.25-inch foldable OLED screen. The device is said to offer a 15.3-inch screen when folded. In all likelihood, it will end up as a foldable MacBook. Unfortunately, the publication did not say anything about the other specifications of the device. As far as the launch is concerned, Apple may launch it in 2027.
Back in February of this year, well-known Apple analyst Mark Gurman also claimed that Apple was working on a foldable device with a 20-inch display. The report claimed that it would be a dual-use product, meaning it can be used as a notebook with an on-screen keyboard when folded and as a big-screen monitor when unfolded. The latter can be used with an external keyboard.
The 10-inch device with a foldable OLED screen will be a foldable iPad. The report claims that the foldable iPad may eventually kill the iPad Mini. It is expected to debut in 2025. The report also says that South Korean display manufacturers will provide foldable OLED panels for the foldable iPad and MacBook.
Why is Apple delaying the arrival of foldable devices?
According to the report, Apple will release foldable devices only after it launches MacBooks and iPads with foldable screens. As it is known, except for the iPhones and Watch, other devices such as the MacBook, iMacs, and iPad are yet to feature an OLED display.
In 2024, Apple is expected to release an iPad with an OLED screen. It may arrive in 11-inch and 12.9-inch screen size variants, which suggests that it could be an iPad Pro device. After its launch, the Cupertino company may launch a foldable iPad in 2025. Samsung Display and LG Display are expected to supply OLED panels for the 2024 iPad Pro.
Previous reports claimed that Apple would launch the OLED MacBook in 2025. However, the new information reveals that it will break cover in 2026, which in turn hints that the foldable MacBook will debut in 2027.
What about a foldable iPhone?
According to the report, Apple is not likely to make a foldable iPhone because folding it wouldn’t offer any real benefits.