We’ve been hearing rumors about Apple’s exploration of a foldable iPhone for years now, but the Cupertino company is also experimenting with other foldable form factors, including a larger-screened foldable iPad.
This guide covers everything that we’ve heard about the possibility of a future foldable tablet from Apple.
Contents
Rumors
According to Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Young, Apple is developing foldable displays that are up to 20 inches in size, and while he said that this was for a “foldable notebook,” it’s possible that could refer to a foldable iPad device.
‘s Mark Gurman has also said that Apple is working on larger-screened iPads, so combining these two rumors, we could see a future foldable iPad with a large display.
We’ve heard other foldable iPad rumors, with a 2019 rumor from analyst Jeff Lin suggesting that Apple would launch a foldable iPad as soon as 2020. That didn’t happen, of course, but it certainly seems like foldable technology is on the horizon.
In fact, a recent rumor suggests that Apple is working with LG Display on foldable OLED display panels for future iPads and MacBooks.
Display Technology
The technology that Apple is allegedly working on with LG Display will see the company using an ultra-thin cover glass instead of polyimide, which is what other foldable displays use today.
Apple is testing electronic paper display (EPD) technology that could be used in future foldable devices, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple could use color EPD displays from Chinese company E Ink, as this technology would be much more energy efficient than other forms of display technology.
Resolution
At somewhere around 20 inches, the foldable device that Apple is working on could feature a 4K or higher resolution.
Release Date
Display analyst Ross Young said in July 2022 that Apple could bring some kind of foldable notebook to market in 2026 or 2027, and it is as of yet unclear if such a device would be classified as a Mac, an iPad, or something in between.
