Apple plans to launch a foldable iPad, but it may not arrive before 2030
Apple is reportedly developing a giant foldable iPad that will run iPadOS and fold into a Mac-sized display, but launch isn’t expected until the end of the decade.
It’s shaping up to be a big week for Apple’s 2026 launch cycle. The iPhone 17e, a lower-cost Mac, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro updates, the base iPad, and a refreshed iPad Air are all on the wish list and expected to be included in this week’s announcements. But one launch that is being heavily speculated about, and certainly not coming this week or even this year, is the foldable iPad.
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Although there have been reports that Apple is planning to introduce a larger iPad with a foldable form factor, a new report suggests that we shouldn’t expect to see it anytime soon.
According to the latest edition of Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter, Apple is developing a giant foldable iPad. However, the device still faces several limitations, and it may not arrive before the end of the decade.
What is a foldable iPad?
The foldable iPad is often described as a larger-screen device that will be closer to a Mac-sized display. However, despite the laptop-like screen size, Apple is reportedly planning to position it firmly as the iPad. This means it will run iPadOS instead of macOS, reinforcing Apple’s long-term strategy of keeping the Mac and iPad as separate product categories.
Bloomberg reports that the device has faced several hurdles during development. One of the biggest concerns revolves around practicality, especially typing on such a large foldable screen. Although the idea of a wide, portable display sounds appealing, making sure it works well for productivity without compromising usability appears to be a challenge.
The report says Apple’s plans for a foldable iPad aren’t focused on creating a true Mac-iPad hybrid. In fact, Apple executives have historically opposed merging the two platforms. Internally, the company believes that combining the Mac and iPad into a single hybrid device could impact sales, as both product lines generate significant revenue independently. Instead, Apple prefers to offer features that allow devices to complement each other, such as Sidecar and Continuity, rather than replace one another.
The foldable iPad is reportedly near the end of Apple’s 2020 roadmap. This suggests a launch timeline closer to 2029 or 2030, assuming the product clears current engineering and usability hurdles. There is also a possibility that the device may evolve significantly before launch, or, like many experimental projects, it may never be brought to market.
But the foldable iPad isn’t the only highly anticipated device in the pipeline. Apple is also developing its first touch-screen MacBook Pro, which is expected to launch in late 2026. However, that device also won’t blur the lines between the Mac and iPad as much as some might hope. The touch-enabled MacBook Pro will reportedly retain its traditional design, featuring a keyboard and trackpad, with touch serving as an alternative input method rather than the primary interface.
There are also reports that Apple may introduce its first foldable iPhone, which will likely come at a future iPhone launch event.