I am open minded about most things, but i just dont see the point of a foldable iPad. Now, the foldable iPhone, yes please and thank you. That makes all the sense in the world to me if its the bookstyle foldable type because then i have both an iPhone and a iPad Mini with me at all times. Thats what i want.
But a stand alone foldable iPad, espically if its a book style/laptop like device, i just dont get for the life of me. If you want a laptop, buy a macbook air or pro. If you want a tablet that has laptop like features with a keyboard and a mouse, we have those devices too. My iPad pro 11 inch serves me as my laptop and i have a M1 iMac and a Iphone 16 pro max with apple watch ultra series 2.
For my uses, i dont need a a laptop, as my ipad doubles as such. Ive bough ipad mini's in the past, i love the form factor, but they are so watered down spec wise it kills the perfect form factor as is for me...Thats why im like blend the Iphone with the Ipad mini's into a foldable device and i got everything i need on the go.
What apple SHOULD make is a convertable imac/ipad desktop device simular to how Microsoft had with the Surface Studio. When it was upright it was a normal all in one Desktop computer, but you tilted it down and it was a drawing/touch interface. You still used a keyboard and mouse with it, but it became this giant canvas screen for creative work like drawing or interacting with apps.
imagine a Ipad/Imac hybrid device like that. Their is no techical reason apple cant make that device, they just dont want to calabalize sales of their ipads.
Thing is, it wouldent even be meant to replace an ipad. an iPad iphone/fold device would be your portable on the go device. A ipad/macbook laptop touch scren hybrid device would be the new style laptop and this would be the new all in one device.
It just makes sense with todays technology. Their is no reason for any modern computer NOT to have a touch screen user interface outside of costs saving measures.
Keyboards and mouse will always be the best option for some apps, touch or drawing for other devices. Why not combind them all and make these ultimate hybrid devices that serve both needs?
But thats just me. Apple is still so stubborn about blending their devices when its inevitable.