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Apple is reportedly making significant strides toward releasing a larger foldable device, with mass production slated for the second half of 2026. According to a recent report by investment analyst Jeff Pu, the tech giant is in the final stages of selecting suppliers for the process of manufacturing a foldable device.
While competitors like Samsung and Huawei have been dabbling in the foldable arena for years, Apple has taken a more measured approach. Original rumours suggested that the company is expected to release 7.8-inch foldable phone, but recent speculation is that Apple is also adding an 18.8-inch foldable to the lineup.
This would mean Apple is intending to release a foldable iPhone and a foldable iPad. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg expects the larger foldable iPad to be released in 2028, whereas others have stated 2026 or 2027 as being more likely.
The smaller foldable iPhone seems to be more of a certainty than the iPad, with a firmer 2026 manufacturing date in the pipelines.
There is still some debate over what the larger foldable device will end up looking like or being. Gurman is certain on an iPad form factor, but others like Ming Chi-Kuo think it will be a foldable Mac of some form. Supposedly, upcoming updates to iOS and iPadOS are going to have these foldable devices in mind so that Apple’s OS are applicable when the hardware is ready.
Key takeaway? No one is really any clearer than they were a few months ago about the release dates of these devices. It could be anywhere from 2026 to 2028. But it does seem like we are going to get two different foldable devices from Apple.
