Next year, Apple is anticipated to unveil its inaugural foldable iPhone. Nevertheless, although some analysts forecasted an iPad ‘Fold’ to be introduced around the same period, a new report suggests that this product won’t arrive anytime soon.
### iPad Fold Development Reported to Be on Hold
On the same day that iPhone Fold production was reported to be advancing well toward next year’s introduction, information regarding Apple’s foldable iPad seems less promising. Sources knowledgeable about the situation indicate that Apple had been investigating a foldable iPad alongside the iPhone but has opted to halt development on the larger foldable device for now. Industry analysts point to manufacturing challenges, rising production costs—especially concerning flexible display technology—and somewhat limited consumer interest in larger foldable devices as reasons for this choice.
Before this report, projected launch dates for the iPad Fold had varied widely. Some analysts, including Jeff Pu, anticipated a 2026 release alongside the iPhone Fold, while others, like Mark Gurman, implied we might need to wait until 2028 or beyond. At this point, it appears that the latter timeframe is more precise—assuming the product is ever released.
Apple seems to be adopting a wait-and-see strategy before introducing two foldables simultaneously. The demand for large foldables has yet to demonstrate strength. However, if next year’s iPhone Fold turns out to be successful, there should be sufficient time for Apple to finalize specifications for the iPad Fold with a potential release by 2028.
### 9to5Mac’s Perspective
The announcement of the iPad Fold’s postponement is disheartening for many, particularly avid iPad users. The expected iPad Fold, rumored to sport an 18.8-inch display, would offer a significant canvas for application management. With the new features in iPadOS 26 emphasizing larger screens, the existing 13-inch size limit on iPads feels insufficient.
As enthusiasm for the iPad Fold increases, particularly amid the developments in iPadOS, users are left contemplating the future of larger foldable devices. The possibility for an iPad Fold still exists, but for the moment, it appears Apple is focusing on the iPhone Fold and evaluating market demand before moving forward with its larger variant.
