Apple’s first foldable tablet could arrive sooner than expected β and could have a massive 20.3-inch screen
Rumors that Apple is working on a foldable iPhone have been circulating for years. But now a reputable source claims that the company’s first foldable device could hit the market sooner than anyone expected β and probably won’t be a smartphone either.
A research note from Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu (via MacRumors) claims that Apple has βacceleratedβ its work on a range of foldable devices, apparently pushing back the predicted launch date as production ramps up.
According to Pu, the first device in the set will be a foldable device with a 20.3-inch screen (something that has been previously reported), which MacRumors believes could be an iPad or a MacBook.
It will apparently debut in 2025, and MacRumors adds that “this time frame would be supported by information from Korean display manufacturers, as well as US and Taiwanese hinge manufacturers.” That’s much sooner than most leaks have suggested, typically predicting 2026 or 2027 as a launch date.
In addition, Pu claims that Apple will launch a foldable iPhone in 2026. At the moment there appears to be some uncertainty about the screen size of that product, with both 7.9-inch and 8.3-inch options apparently in the mix (interestingly, these measurements are in line with those of the current and previous generation iPad mini). MacRumors says Apple “could launch two foldable models with these two screen size options, or it could opt for just one screen size option.”
Apple has something up its sleeve
Whatever Apple chooses, it’s clear that both the 20.3-inch device and the smaller foldable iPhone would be ultra-premium products given the technology and requirements involved.
For example, it has been reported that Apple is unhappy with the display quality of its foldable devices, something that has riled companies like Samsung who have launched their own foldable phones. Perfecting the technology has likely contributed to Apple not yet launching a foldable device.
That said, many other sources have claimed that Apple is hard at work on several foldable products. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, display industry analyst Ross Youngand Apple tipster Ming-Chi Kuo all agree that Apple has something foldable up its sleeve, and they are all believed to have reliable sources within Apple or its supply chain.
So the idea that Apple is working on a foldable device is not a revelation. What’s more of a surprise is the 2025 launch date suggested by Pu. With only a year to go before we apparently see the fruits of Apple’s labor, we may not have to wait long until we see how accurate Pu’s prediction is.