Apple’s plan to launch a foldable iPad with an 18-inch display has encountered engineering hurdles, potentially postponing the release to 2029 or later, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports. The device, internally code-named J312, had initially targeted a 2028 launch.
Apple is working with Samsung Display Co. on the foldable OLED panel, designed to reduce the crease seen on foldable screens, sources said. Unlike the foldable iPhone, the new iPad does not include an external display. When closed, it resembles a Mac laptop with aluminum on both sides; when unfolded, it measures roughly the size of a 13-inch laptop, Gurman noted.
Key Development Challenges
- Weight: Prototypes weigh around 3.5 pounds, compared with 1–1.3 pounds for current iPad Pros.
- Cost & Technology: Developing an 18-inch OLED display is complex, pushing estimated prices to around $3,000—roughly three times the cost of a 13-inch iPad Pro.
- Comparison: Apple’s prototypes are similar to HUAWEI’s MateBook Fold, which weighs slightly less and costs about $3,400 but is currently available only in China.
iPad Lineup Context
Apple aims to rejuvenate the iPad lineup, which has seen slower demand in recent years. Though iPad sales are expected to grow in 2025, revenue remains below the 2021 peak. Recent updates include:
- iPad Pro: Refreshed with M5 chip.
- iPad Air: Expected to gain M4 processor next year.
- Base iPad: Moving to A18 chip.
The foldable iPad is part of Apple’s push into premium foldable devices alongside Samsung, Google, Lenovo, Motorola, and Huawei. However, given technical hurdles and internal uncertainty, sources said its release is not guaranteed.
Apple has a history of canceling projects that no longer meet internal business goals. Recent examples include the autonomous car program and a lighter version of the Vision Pro headset, known internally as N100, Gurman added.