Production problems: Foldable iPad with 18 inches only in years?

Apple apparently has production problems bringing its first foldable iPad to the market. According to a report by the Financial news agency Bloomberg according to the report, the device, which is supposed to display up to 18 inches when unfolded, will not be released before 2029 – possibly even later. “Engineering challenges” in the areas of weight, functionality and screen technology would prevent an earlier release. Apple has reportedly been aiming for 2028 so far – although this date is probably already a delay. The hardware is expected to be very expensive at around 3000 US dollars.

More hardware innovations targeted

One of the suppliers is said to be Samsung Display. iPhone screens have also been coming from there for a long time, as well as presumably screens for Apple’s first smartphone foldable, which is expected in the fall of 2026. Apple is hoping for a foldable iPad panel that shows almost no “crease” – this is also the case with the foldable iPhone. The iPad foldable is said to be part of a product initiative that is intended to bring Apple back to the forefront in terms of innovative hardware. This started this year with the very thin iPhone Air. Next year, the aforementioned iPhone foldable is planned, and in 2027 it will reportedly be an anniversary iPhone “almost made of glass” with a rounded screen.

Informed circles report to Bloomberg that Apple is planning a similar approach to Huawei with its Matebook Fold, which is only available in China. This is also an 18-inch foldable tablet, it was launched in May. The price is the equivalent of 3400 US dollars. It is said to be 450 grams lighter than Apple’s current prototype. The aim is to weigh around 1.5 kg. This is roughly equivalent to a 14-inch MacBook Pro.

Concerns within Apple

Bloomberg goes on to write that it is even conceivable that the iPad foldable will not be launched at all. The technical challenges and the proximity to the Huawei product would be possible reasons.

Apple is always willing to reconsider its decisions – projects can be discontinued even after years of work if it becomes apparent that the business opportunity is no longer interesting. For example, the billion-dollar car project was scrapped after it had undergone various strategy changes.