Apple's giant foldable iPad could be crease-free and run macOS apps, new report claims

An Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) from the front, in someone's hand
(Image credit: Future)

  • Apple’s secret foldable iPad won’t launch until 2028, a report alleges
  • The company wants to eliminate the crease in its foldable’s display
  • Apple could also be developing a folding iPhone for a 2026 release

The Apple Vision Pro headset only launched a year and a half ago, but Apple is already looking for its next big thing. And according to a new report, it might have found it in the form of a giant foldable device that's the size of two iPad Pros sitting side-by-side.

That’s the latest rumor from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, and it sheds light on Apple’s potential plans to enter – and, it hopes, dominate – the foldable market over the next few years.

According to Gurman, Apple is working to ensure that the foldable iPad does not have the crease down the center that has bedeviled other foldable devices. Apple’s secret efforts have resulted in a device that has a “nearly invisible crease” when opened up, Gurman says, although it’s “too early to tell if Apple can get rid of it altogether.”

Gurman believes this device will launch “around 2028,” which is later than the 2026 date predicted by analyst Jeff Pu. It could have a screen size of around 18-20 inches when unfolded, Gurman says, yet it is expected to be small enough to fit into a backpack when not in use.

And it’s not the only foldable Apple has up its sleeve, with the company also working on a folding iPhone. But before you get too excited, this isn’t expected to launch before 2026 at the earliest.

An iPad-Mac hybrid?

Big iPad

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Over the past few years, Samsung, OnePlus and Google have released their own foldable devices to varying degrees of success. But the majority of the best foldable phones either comprise two separate screens with a large hinge in the middle, or have a single display that exhibits a deep seam in the center.

Apple seemingly wants to avoid both of those scenarios, instead launching a foldable that’s made up of a one screen with no apparent hinge or seam. And, given the company’s culture of attempting to be best rather than first, Apple is clearly happy to take its time and perfect its product rather than rushing to market with something substandard. Yet it also means that you’ve got a long wait ahead if you want to get your hands on Apple’s first foldable iPad.

Interestingly, Gurman states that the foldable iPad will blend elements of iPadOS and macOS, although it will not be a “true iPad-Mac hybrid.” This is because iPadOS will likely be “advanced enough to run macOS apps” by the time the foldable launches, Gurman says, but will also support traditional iPad accessories like the Apple Pencil.

Even though this device could be the closest Apple has ever come to merging the Mac and the iPad, in a way it demonstrates why Apple has never actually made this move.

A combo product like this will be incredibly niche and most people likely don’t need a single device that combines elements of the two systems. Ultimately, Apple wants you to buy both an iPad and a Mac, rather than losing one sale in the form of a dual-purpose device.

Still, iPad-Mac hybrid or not, it’s clear that this foldable tablet has the potential to be a memorable “one more thing” moment for Apple. Now the company just has to hope it proves more popular than the Vision Pro.

You might also like

TOPICS
Alex Blake
Freelance Contributor

Alex Blake has been fooling around with computers since the early 1990s, and since that time he's learned a thing or two about tech. No more than two things, though. That's all his brain can hold. As well as TechRadar, Alex writes for iMore, Digital Trends and Creative Bloq, among others. He was previously commissioning editor at MacFormat magazine. That means he mostly covers the world of Apple and its latest products, but also Windows, computer peripherals, mobile apps, and much more beyond. When not writing, you can find him hiking the English countryside and gaming on his PC.

Read more
A folding iPad concept, with an Apple Pencil magnetically attached to the top edge.
Apple’s foldable iPhone specs hinted at in fresh leak – here are 5 things to expect
Foldable iPhone concept image
Foldable iPhone: latest rumors, news and everything we know so far
Foldable iPhone
New foldable iPhone rumors predict Apple’s bold plans – here are 6 things to expect, from cameras to launch date
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in Paris in front of the Louvre pyramid
The foldable iPhone could have a surprisingly small cover screen, but I’m not convinced
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Apple is rumored to have taken another key step towards making a foldable iPhone
Apple iPhone 16 Review
Here's how big the two displays on the foldable iPhone could be
Latest in iPad
iPad Air M3 11-inch and 13-inch on an orange background next to TechRadar deals price cut badge
Wait, what? The brand-new iPad Air just launched and it's already on sale on Amazon
Three photos of the iPad Air M3 and its camera
iPad Air M3 review roundup – should you buy Apple's new mid-range tablet?
iPad Pro 13-inch 2024 on a table
The OLED iPad Pro is reportedly less popular than expected – and that could mean these changes to Apple's OLED iPad plans
iPad Air M3
The new iPad Air M3 is good value – but I’d still buy this iPad Pro model instead
iPad Air M3 on a green background next to TechRadar big savings badge
Get the brand-new iPad Air (M3) from just $249 at Best Buy with a trade-in
The new Apple iPad (A16)
Even without Apple Intelligence, the new iPad is still one of the best tablets you can buy
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough