Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil its first foldable iPhone this September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. However, the smartphone is not the only flexible device the tech giant has in the pipeline. The company is also actively developing a foldable iPad, though recent rumours suggest the project is suffering from severe delays.
Shared technology and a seamless screen
According to industry experts, the forthcoming foldable iPad will likely utilise hardware designed for the rumoured iPhone Fold. Most notably, the tablet is expected to feature the same advanced hinge mechanism to ensure a crease-free display. Eliminating the visible fold line is a challenge that even Samsung has struggled to resolve over the years.
Apple is currently collaborating with Samsung Display to manufacture the 18-inch panel, hoping to minimise any chance of a crease developing. If the company successfully implements this solution on the iPhone Fold, the technology is expected to carry over to the iPad.
A troubled timeline
The concept of a foldable iPad has generated numerous rumours recently, with some claiming it is a dream device for Apple’s incoming chief executive John Ternus. Development was reportedly halted last summer due to significant engineering roadblocks before being restarted earlier this year. Originally slated for a 2028 release, the launch window has now been pushed to 2029.
The reasons behind this pause are substantial. Creating a durable, large-scale folding screen has proven both complex and exceptionally expensive. Furthermore, the engineering team is battling a severe weight issue. Current prototypes reportedly weigh around 3.5 pounds, putting the device on par with a MacBook Pro rather than a standard one-pound iPad Pro. This drastic weight increase would fundamentally change how the device is carried and used daily.
Redefining the iPad
With its massive 18-inch display, the upcoming product blurs the line between a tablet and an all-screen MacBook. When closed, it sports a sleek aluminium exterior akin to a standard laptop. When unfolded, it boasts the dimensions of a 13-inch MacBook Air but entirely lacks a physical keyboard. Whether Apple envisions this as a pure tablet or a true laptop replacement remains unclear.
The final retail price is another major consideration. Early estimates suggest the foldable iPad could cost around $3,000, making it three times as expensive as the current 13-inch iPad Pro. At that price point, it will likely remain a highly niche product at launch.
Apple has a long history of ruthlessly scrapping projects that fail to meet its rigorous standards. Whether this ambitious foldable iPad actually reaches consumers in 2029 or is quietly abandoned remains a mystery.
