Apple’s Foldable iPad: A 2029 Launch on the Horizon

Apple continues development of a large, foldable iPad, despite facing significant technical challenges. Current projections indicate a potential launch in 2029, though the device’s high cost and weight remain key hurdles. This new form factor could blur the lines between Apple’s iPad and Mac lines, presenting a unique challenge to the company’s established product strategy.

Development Challenges and Timeline

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is actively working on a foldable iPad, a project that has encountered several technical difficulties. Initial plans aimed for a 2028 release, but these have been pushed back due to issues with weight and display technology. The current target is now 2029 or later.

Previous reports in July of last year suggested a pause in development due to these challenges, but Gurman indicates that work continued, albeit with a revised timeline. Apple is collaborating with Samsung Display on the project, specifically focusing on an approximately 18-inch display designed to minimize the visible crease common in foldable screens.

Design and Specifications

The foldable iPad is envisioned as a hybrid device. When closed, it will resemble a MacBook, featuring an aluminum exterior without an external display. Upon opening, it will unfold to roughly the size of a 13-inch MacBook Air, but without a physical keyboard. Prototypes currently weigh around 3.5 pounds, significantly heavier than existing iPad Pro models, which range from 1 to 1.3 pounds (MacObserver).

Apple is also leveraging its expertise in foldable display technology, having already begun production of a foldable iPhone slated for release later in 2026.

Pricing and Market Positioning

The foldable iPad is expected to be a premium device with a correspondingly high price tag. Gurman estimates the cost could reach up to $3,900, potentially three times the price of the 13-inch iPad Pro, which currently retails for $1,299 (MacRumors). This high cost is attributed to the expensive components required for a large foldable OLED display.

The device is positioned as a high-end product, not a mainstream tablet, and is expected to run iPadOS rather than macOS (MacObserver via X).

Key Takeaways

• Apple is still developing a foldable iPad, targeting a 2029 launch.
• The device will feature an approximately 18-inch foldable display made by Samsung.
• Prototypes weigh 3.5 pounds, significantly more than current iPad Pro models.
• The expected price could reach $3,900, making it one of Apple’s most expensive products.
• The device will likely run iPadOS and is designed as a large iPad, not a Mac replacement.