Apple’s Massive Foldable iPad Faces Major Setback: Inside the Latest Developments

Apple reportedly had plans to unveil a massive 18-inch foldable iPad by 2026, yet recent insights from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggest a possible postponement to 2029 for its release.

It seems the deferment is due to technical challenges concerning the device’s weight, display technology, and features, according to Gurman’s findings. Apple is said to be collaborating with Samsung Display to craft an 18-inch screen that reduces the visibility of the crease typical of foldable screens.

Internally known as J312, the foldable iPad is expected to feature an aluminum casing and open up to approximately the size of the 13-inch MacBook Air.

Sources of Difficulty

Gurman reports that engineering the 18-inch display has been notably challenging and intricate. Apple aims to incorporate an OLED panel, which has led to price estimates almost tripling compared to the latest 13-inch iPad Pro M5, which starts at $1,299 for the 256GB model. This could push the cost of the foldable iPad near $3,000.

Weight is also an issue, with the prototype weighing around 3.5 pounds—significantly heavier than current iPads and even some laptops.

The design of Apple’s foldable model is said to resemble the Huawei MateBook Fold, which also features a 13-inch screen when unfolded. This device is priced around $3,330 for its base model and is currently only available in China.

There are also internal concerns about whether the foldable iPad will ever be launched.

The Backstory

Over the past few years, speculation has oscillated around whether the large foldable iPad would debut as Apple’s inaugural foldable device or alongside the iPhone Fold. This isn’t the first instance of projected delays, with previous reports suggesting a 2029 release.

In August, analyst Jeff Pu hinted that the launch of the “18.8-inch foldable device is likely to be postponed.” A leaked 5-year roadmap had previously set the iPad’s release for 2028. Gurman himself had earlier projected a 2028 debut for the device.

Meanwhile, the iPhone Fold is expected to launch next fall with the iPhone 18 Pro models. According to rumors, Apple might split the iPhone 18 launch, introducing the standard model in spring 2026 followed by the iPhone 18e.

However, just last week, a report from Mizhuo Securities indicated that the iPhone Fold’s release could be pushed back to 2027 due to production challenges with the display units.

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