The 13-inch iPad Pro (M4) currently has the biggest screen among Apple's tablet lineup. Photo: HWZ
Apple's plans for a foldable iPad have been revealed by Bloomberg.
According to Mark Gurman, Apple has been working on a foldable device "for a couple of years now" which looks like "a giant iPad". When unfolded, Gurman describes the device's size as "two iPad Pros side-by-side" and will have a display that's around 20 inches large.
Unlike most foldable devices in the market at the moment, Apple is believed to be working hard to eliminate the crease on the foldable device and make the screen "look like a single, uninterrupted piece of glass".
Gurman says current prototypes "have a nearly invisible crease", but it is too soon to determine whether Apple can eliminate it entirely.
The foldable iPad could run iPadOS or a variant of it. While it is said to have elements of iPad and Mac, Gurman believes it will not be a true iPad-Mac hybrid.
Bloomberg reported in early 2022 that Apple is considering a dual-screen, foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid device. It is unclear if the latest report is referring to the same or a different product.
Aside from this higher-end foldable "giant iPad", Gurman claims Apple is also looking to introduce a foldable iPhone. He expects the foldable iPhone to launch in 2026 at the earliest.
Earlier this month, Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) shared that Apple could release a Samsung Galaxy Fold-like device in 2026.
Gurman added that Apple's overall approach to foldable devices is to focus on gamers, software developers, and consumers who love watching movies and prefer a larger-screen device that can be carried in a backpack.
Apple's current iPad Pro maxes out at 13 inches while the largest MacBook Pro has a 16-inch screen option. Adding a foldable option between the iPad and Mac lineups could potentially create a new market for Apple.
Source: Bloomberg
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