Apple's Giant Foldable iPad Hits Development Hurdles, May Be Delayed to 2029 [Report]

Apple's effort to develop a large, foldable iPad has run into development snags that could push its launch to 2029 or later, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The device, which has been in the works for several years, had most recently been targeted for a 2028 release.

The report claims the engineering challenges are tied to the device's weight, features, and display technology. Apple is reportedly working with Samsung Display on the roughly 18-inch panel, which is said to minimize the display crease. This is a similar approach to the crease-free display expected on the company's upcoming foldable iPhone.


Prototypes of the tablet, internally codenamed J312, reportedly do not include an external display. When closed, the device is said to resemble a Mac laptop with an aluminum enclosure on both sides. Once opened, it is about the size of a 13-inch laptop. Sources involved in the project say the device is similar to Huawei's MateBook Fold, though current Apple prototypes weigh around 3.5 pounds—about the same as a MacBook Pro and a pound heavier than the Huawei device.

The complexity and cost of developing an 18-inch foldable OLED display have reportedly pushed the estimated price to around $3,000, roughly triple that of the current 13-inch iPad Pro. This project is part of a broader push for innovation at Apple, which just introduced its new ultra-thin iPhone Air and is working on other new hardware categories like smart glasses and a tabletop robot.

While Apple just refreshed the iPad Pro with the new M5 chip, other more minor updates are still expected for the lineup. The iPad Air is set to gain the M4 processor and the base iPad is moving to the A18, with both updates reportedly planned for early next year. While the foldable iPad is meant to make a bigger splash, some involved in the effort are unsure if it will ever be released, given the current challenges.

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