By Apple is reportedly developing a device that could be “its next revolutionary product.” According to a report, the tech giant is working on a foldable gadget resembling a large iPad, which unfolds to match the size of two iPad Pros placed side by side.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, citing sources, reveals that Apple has been exploring this concept for several years, with a potential launch timeline set around 2028.
Why the Foldable Device is Taking Time
According to Gurman, a major challenge for Apple’s foldable device lies in eliminating the visible crease that currently affects most foldable screens when unfolded. He mentioned that prototypes being tested by Apple’s industrial design team reportedly feature a nearly imperceptible crease.
However, it is uncertain whether Apple can completely resolve this issue. Even Samsung, a leader in foldable phone technology, continues to face difficulties in overcoming this design hurdle, Gurman noted.
He further explained, “At present, Apple’s largest iPad measures up to 13 inches. The company understands that consumers — including gamers, software developers, or even movie enthusiasts — desire larger screens. The only practical way to deliver a mobile device with a display approaching 20 inches is to make it foldable. Otherwise, carrying such a device in a backpack or purse becomes impractical.”
While Apple’s foldable iPad concept may appear innovative, similar ideas have been explored by other companies in the past.
Microsoft previously experimented with dual-screen devices such as the Courier and Neo but ultimately discontinued these projects due to low consumer interest.
Lenovo also entered this space with its Yoga Book 9i, which featured two 13.3-inch OLED panels connected by a hinge. However, Apple’s strategy is notably different, as the company aims to create a single foldable glass display, eliminating any visible seams between screens.
According to Gurman, achieving this level of design will likely come at a significant cost, with Apple’s foldable device expected to carry a much higher price tag than Lenovo’s offering, which was priced around $2,000.
Gurman further noted, “It remains unclear which operating system Apple’s foldable device will use, but I suspect it will run iPadOS or a customized version of it.”
