Apple’s ambitious plan to launch a foldable iPad featuring an 18-inch display has hit significant development roadblocks, potentially pushing its release to 2029 or later, instead of the previously targeted 2028 timeframe. Sources familiar with the matter say the challenges stem from enormous costs, display technology complexities—especially in collaboration with Samsung Display on a crease-free OLED panel—and excessive device weight (prototypes reportedly around 3.5 lbs, far heavier than standard iPads). With a projected price tag near $3,000 or more, analysts question whether the device will ever enter mass production.
Key Takeaways
– The device’s development is reportedly delayed due to weight, cost and display engineering issues.
– The anticipated price—around three times a current iPad Pro (≈ $3,000) and estimates up to ~$3,900—raises serious questions about market viability.
– Some insiders believe the project may never ship, as Apple reevaluates whether the device aligns with its product strategy and consumer demand.
In-Depth
In recent years, Apple has faced slowing growth in its core iPhone and iPad lines, prompting the company to explore new form factors and product categories. One of the more headline-grabbing initiatives has been the alleged development of a foldable iPad—a device that could fold out to roughly an 18-inch screen, effectively bridging the gap between tablet and laptop. But while Apple’s ambition is impressive, insiders say the project has run into deep trouble. Reports indicate that prototypes are unwieldy and heavy (around 3.5 lbs), more akin to a MacBook than a conventional iPad, and that key components—especially the OLED foldable display—with a “virtually invisible crease,” have proven extraordinarily costly and difficult to mass-produce.
Working with Samsung Display, Apple reportedly aimed to engineer a foldable panel large enough to open to the size of a 13-inch laptop yet fold in half like a book, all while maintaining the hallmark thinness, sleek design and portability that iPads are known for. But challenges have accumulated: not just around weight, but also hinge durability, internal thermal management, battery life, display longevity and overall cost structure. One article estimated that if launched today, the device’s price might top $3,000 (even up to $3,900) — a steep premium that would limit the addressable market.
From a business perspective, that’s a concern: Apple has built its ecosystem around devices with broad appeal and high margins, but even higher-end models like the iPad Pro cost far less than the rumored foldable. Unless the technology matures and component costs drop significantly, this device could sit in a niche category—or worse, never make production in meaningful volume. Further complicating matters, the reports suggest Apple has pushed the potential launch date out to 2029 or later, or is even reconsidering whether it will ship at all. That would represent a notable delay in Apple’s product roadmap, especially given how other competitors are releasing foldable devices now.
For conservative investors and consumers watching Apple’s trajectory, the story provides a cautionary tale: even a company with Apple’s resources is not immune to the complexities of novel hardware innovations. The foldable iPad idea captures the imagination—an ultra-large screen in a device you can fold and carry—but the practicalities of engineering, cost and form-factor trade-offs are significant. Until those hurdles are resolved, this project may remain promising on paper but elusive in reality.
In short, Apple’s foldable iPad may still happen, but the timeline, price and even the decision to ship remain very much uncertain.