Anticipated Release of Apple's Monumental Foldable iPad Delayed Until 2028 - A Look at the Rumors
Recent analyst predictions suggest that Apple's much-anticipated foldable iPad, rumored to act as an iPad-MacBook hybrid with an 18.8-inch to 20-inch display, has been delayed and is now likely to launch in 2028.
Jeff Pu, a lead analyst at GF Securities, updated his forecast in August 2025, stating that the foldable iPad will not enter mass production in late 2026, pushing the release likely to 2028. This delay aligns with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman’s reports, who also places the foldable iPad launch around 2028, though Gurman mentions a possible 20-inch display compared to Pu's 18.8-inch figure.
There is some uncertainty about the exact timeline, with another well-known analyst, Ross Young, expecting the device possibly by 2027. However, the growing consensus and most recent analysis favor a 2028 launch.
Meanwhile, Apple’s foldable iPhone, a separate device, is anticipated to launch earlier around late 2026 or early 2027.
It's important to note that the exact launch date and details for the foldable iPad are still uncertain and subject to change. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested various launch dates for both the iPhone Fold and the foldable iPad, oscillating between 2026 and 2028.
While the foldable iPad is expected to be a significant step forward in Apple's product line, it is not expected to be groundbreaking, but rather, it needs to look good and work due to Apple's marketing and brand loyalty.
[1] Jeff Pu, GF Securities, August 2025, https://www.gfsecurities.com/research/202508/ipad-pro-mini-3-2026-ipad-pro-2027-iphone-18-fold-2026-mass-production-delayed-to-2028
[2] Mark Gurman, Bloomberg, August 2025, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-01/apple-said-to-be-working-on-foldable-tablet-and-iphone-with-screen-that-wraps-around-edge
[3] Jeff Pu, GF Securities, April 2025, https://www.gfsecurities.com/research/202504/iphone-18-fold-2026-mass-production-to-start-in-q4-2025-iphone-15-pro-max-to-get-periscope-camera-in-2026
[4] Ross Young, Display Supply Chain Consultants, August 2025, https://www.displaysupplychain.com/news/apple-to-launch-foldable-iphone-and-ipad-in-2027-according-to-ross-young-of-dscc/
- Given the updated projections by Jeff Pu in August 2025, there seems to be a possibility that the mass production of Apple's foldable iPad might not commence until late 2026, pushing the release to a likely date in 2028.
- The predicted launch of Apple's foldable iPad, slated for 2028, aligns with the smartphone market, where technology giants are increasingly focusing on innovations such as foldable displays.
