Rumors have been circulating for months that Apple is working on a foldable iPad, a MacBook with an expandable folding display, or something else that folds, but evidence is mounting that whatever form this foldable device takes is being delayed, and one reliable source is claiming that this is the case.
The analyst in question is Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a long track record when it comes to Apple leaks and rumors. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Kuo explained that “due to technical challenges related to the display and machinery (product elements), the assembly mass production timeline has been pushed back from 1H26 (early 2026) to late 2027 or 2028.”
This would be a major delay for a device that could potentially shake up Apple’s device lineup. The company appears to be waiting on the sidelines while rivals like Samsung, Microsoft, and OnePlus release products with foldable screens, waiting for the technology to establish itself. After all, Apple would rather release a great product late than a flawed one early. And given the issues foldable devices have had so far, especially with display durability, this latest report seems to suggest that Apple isn’t yet satisfied with the product it’s developing.
Previous rumors have suggested that Apple’s device could be either an iPad that folds to significantly increase screen size, or a MacBook that uses one large touchscreen on each half. The uncertainty seems to hinge on how Apple positions the device and the nuances that define exactly what an iPad and a MacBook are. Either way, it looks like we’ll have to wait a little longer before we see a foldable device.
Details confirmed
This wasn’t Kuo’s only remark on the subject. In his post about the X, he said the device’s final display size was “firmly set at 18.8 inches,” adding that “Apple has cancelled the 20.25 inch design.” Several sources, including Kuo and display industry expert Ross Young, had previously reported on the possibility of Apple releasing a 20-inch foldable device, but that possibility now appears to have disappeared.
Interestingly, Kuo noted, “Some market participants previously expected Apple to launch a foldable iPad in 2025, but current supply chain research shows that there is no outlook for a foldable iPad. This may also be because some people are calling this foldable MacBook a foldable iPad.”
This follows a report from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman in early August, who claimed that Apple was “developing a giant, foldable iPad, but that it may not arrive until 2027 or 2028 at the earliest.”
Ultimately, the situation remains unclear and it remains to be seen what this device will actually be like and how Apple will position it, but one thing is clear: the device’s launch is still a long way off.
