The much-anticipated revolution in Apple’s product lineup faces a setback as insider reports confirm a significant delay for its large-screen foldable device. While the foldable iPhone remains on schedule for late 2026, Apple’s ambitious 18.8-inch foldable iPad—or hybrid tablet-Mac—won’t reach consumers until 2027, dashing hopes for an imminent launch.
The Delay: Foldable iPad Pushed to 2027
According to Jeff Pu, lead analyst at investment firm GF Securities, Apple has postponed mass production of its large foldable device. Pu’s supply chain checks reveal the 18.8-inch model won’t enter manufacturing in Q4 2026 as previously speculated. This confirms a 2027 release at the earliest. Notably, Pu highlights “intact progress” for the foldable iPhone 18, still slated for late 2026. The reasons behind the iPad-sized foldable’s delay remain undisclosed, though industry experts speculate challenges with display durability, hinge mechanics, or software optimization for the larger form factor.
What Is Apple’s Large Foldable Device?
Conflicting reports cloud the device’s exact identity:
- Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman labels it a “20-inch folding iPad”
- Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo refers to it as a “touchscreen Mac”
- Jeff Pu suggests a hybrid iPad-Mac functionality
The ambiguity stems from Apple’s blurred lines between iPadOS and macOS. With iPadOS 26 expected to enhance multitasking, Pu’s hybrid theory gains traction. Imagine unfolding an 18.8-inch display to run full macOS apps alongside touch-optimized iPad features—a productivity game-changer. This aligns with Apple’s incremental integration of Stage Manager and desktop-class apps. Whether branded as iPad or Mac, the device promises to redefine large-screen portability.
Why the Foldable iPhone Stays on Course
Supply chain agility explains the foldable iPhone’s resilience. Smaller displays (likely 7-8 inches) leverage existing flexible OLED advancements from Samsung Display, a reported supplier. By contrast, the 18.8-inch panel demands unprecedented engineering—scaling foldable tech while maintaining color accuracy, crease minimization, and durability. Apple’s strict quality thresholds likely contribute to the delay. Competitors like Samsung and Huawei already offer foldable phones, but Apple’s entry could legitimize the category globally.
Apple’s foldable ambitions now follow a split timeline: the compact iPhone model arrives in 2026, while its larger sibling—whether iPad, Mac, or both—awaits 2027. This delay underscores the technical Everest of scaling foldable screens without compromise. For now, patience remains key as Apple perfects its vision of seamless, large-screen mobility. Stay updated via verified analyst channels.
Must Know
Why is Apple’s foldable iPad delayed?
Mass production was postponed due to unspecified supply chain or engineering hurdles. Analyst Jeff Pu confirmed it won’t begin in late 2026. The foldable iPhone’s smaller display faces fewer complications, keeping its late-2026 launch intact.
Will Apple’s foldable device be an iPad or Mac?
Reports conflict: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman calls it a 20-inch iPad, while Ming-Chi Kuo references a touchscreen Mac. Jeff Pu predicts a hybrid—likely running iPadOS with Mac-like multitasking via future software updates.
How big is Apple’s delayed foldable screen?
Analysts cite 18.8–20 inches diagonally when unfolded. This positions it between traditional tablets and compact monitors, ideal for productivity or media consumption.
What about the foldable iPhone?
The foldable iPhone 18 remains on track for late 2026. Its smaller screen (likely 7–8 inches) faces fewer technical barriers, per supply chain checks.
Could iPadOS 26 enable Mac-like features?
Yes. Apple’s gradual merging of iPad and Mac capabilities—like Stage Manager and external display support—suggests iPadOS 26 could optimize windowing and app continuity for foldables.
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