Apple to Launch Foldable As Early As 2026 That Could Ultimately Replace iPad Mini

[jlc1978]

Rollable devices definitely seem that the best way to avoid the hinge / creasing issues

The problem is having a rollable material that doesn't have memory so it will alway lay flat when unrolled.

Sure, there are fan sites for Samsung and Android

Samsung has a fan site?

What an utter nonsense! Did you ever hold one in your hand? do you even realize the display cover is just plastic, not glass? It scratches super easy and you can't put tempered glass on it. Just a special Samsung screen protector. And you are not allowed to remove the screen protector by yourself because you could damage the plastic screen underneath.

I suspect a foldeable phone would be a boon for AppleCare+ sales for people who keep their phones greater than 1 year...

The Mini is a good test bed for this - fairly niche, sitting in a fairly unique spot in the line up. It's ripe for testing the waters.

I'm not so sure. The challenge is gauging success or failure for a new version of a product that I very niche already. Peopel may like teh fodablity but not the form factor and thus not buy it; givin the impression teh folding ability was not wanted.

’ll take that bet mostly on a very simple consideration: what was the form factor of a phone 50 years ago (1974)?

However, a seismic shift occurred along two fronts that drove the change:

1. Cellular technology enabled radio communications to move beyond niche uses
2. The growth of the infrastructure used by the Internet and VoIP greatly increased the range a radio telephone could reach and greatly reduced the costs of delivering services worldwide

Until a similar shift occurs, such as usable and affordable VR technology, you are unlikely to see a dramatc change in form factors.

If the current form factor was a limiting as the old corded phone, land line or marine telephone, cellular watches and BT earphones would be vastly more popular.

 

[satchmo]

This couldn’t come sooner for me.

Those who don’t like see value or interest can sit this one out continue to use the existing iPhone. Just like the VisionPro, you don’t have to like everything Apple makes.

Having options are good.

 

[0134168]

Could, or could not...

My god...

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

However, a seismic shift occurred along two fronts that drove the change:

1. Cellular technology enabled radio communications to move beyond niche uses
2. The growth of the infrastructure used by the Internet and VoIP greatly increased the range a radio telephone could reach and greatly reduced the costs of delivering services worldwide

Until a similar shift occurs, such as usable and affordable VR technology, you are unlikely to see a dramatc change in form factors.

If the current form factor was a limiting as the old corded phone, land line or marine telephone, cellular watches and BT earphones would be vastly more popular.

I’ll take that bet too… I’ll bet on another “seismic shift(s)” in technology in the next 50 years to make todays tech look as antiquated as we look at 1974s versions.

 

[neuropsychguy]

Again I have to ask, do people really want this?

Foldables do seem to be getting better as the money is spent advancing the tech, but from what I've seen, they still leave a lot to be desired and offer no significant advantage for their substantial increase in price. Are there really people clamouring for foldables that the market is even there for this?

I know at least 4 people with foldable phones. They really love them. I've not been particularly impressed with any of them yet. When folded they are quite thick, which makes them awkward for pockets, especially because they are still wide and tall. So you end up with a phone that is maybe a little more narrow but just as tall and thicker. Although, some are shorter and then longer when open.

Maybe in a few more years the design issues will be figured out, but for now they are still awkward. Again, I know people who really like them, so there is a strong (if small) market.

 

[anthogag]

The world needs iPad mini Pro 🌎

 

[nuff_said]

Seeing the foldable competition prices i am not sure that at triple the price this will be a mini replacement

The Apple markup is real and will definitely hit this product.
Thoughts in my mind are will there only be two models: 64GB and 256GB? Will iPadOS still be limited to a fraction of what the Mx chip inside of it allows it to do?

 

[nfl46]

foldable phones are stupid and never made sense to me.

foldable tablets however, I can see it.

Yeah, that’s BS! Foldable phones are really good nowadays and will only improve as the years go on.

 

[RoadWarrior56]

Forget the foldable version as a Mini replacement. Besides, It would probably cost a bundle, being that all of the foldable devices I have seen are very expensive, and it probably kill the market for the Mini (which is why I don't really believe this rumor).

Just fix the Mini 6 crappy display in a Mini 7 so I don't get a headache every time I look at it. I would then finally consider replacing my aging Mini 5 (which has a sharp, wonderful display, BTW).

 

[CausticSoda]

I have always loved the naysayers on this… Why? Who wants one? Samesung rubbish! Apple will never do this! Solving a problem that does not exist! Nobody will buy it! Blah, blah, boring blah… The news for them is that it is coming, always has been coming, and people will buy it. That has always been pretty obvious to most people with common sense who understand markets. People will probably criticise this comment, but soon enough they will be watching Apple release them and eat or deny their words. I’ve noticed goalpost moving too, such as the fact this is a foldable tablet and not a foldable phone etc. It’s hilarious stuff! (I don’t even want one FWIW, but others do, and it will come.)

 

[MarkNewton2023]

Apple is considering launching its first foldable in the next few years in the form of a 7- to 8-inch device that could ultimately replace the 8.3-inch iPad mini.

That's the latest claim to come out of Korean outlet The Elec. According to the report, Apple is reviewing a launch timeframe for the device between 2026 and 2027.

However, Apple is also actively developing an OLED iPad mini, so there remains uncertainty within Apple about the nature and specifications of the foldable. Speculation reportedly remains rife in the industry around whether it will be a foldable iPhone or foldable iPad model.

Samsung Display and LG Display have reportedly already been sending samples of 7-inch and 8-inch foldable panels to Apple since last year.

Among the panel companies, Samsung is said to be more active in developing Apple foldable panels than LG, and is the more likely primary supplier of a foldable panel if Apple decides on a 2026 release.

Apple, Samsung Display, and LG Display are also said to have "different ideas" about the ultra-thin glass material, foldable panel cover window, and the hinge concept, which is at the core of the product's mechanism. These differences reportedly involve contrasting judgements concerning product durability and reliability.

Once mass production is decided, Samsung is expected to create the foldable panel in the 6th generation A3 or A4 OLED line that it uses to make OLED panels for Apple's iPhones.

According to the report, Apple is also working on a larger 20.5-inch foldable product that is expected to be released later than the 7- to 8-inch device. The larger foldable has been rumored before by both The Elec, Bloomberg, and Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Young. Young has also previously said that he expects a foldable tablet-like device in 2026 or 2027.

Article Link: Apple to Launch Foldable As Early As 2026 That Could Ultimately Replace iPad Mini

Hope this rumor materializes as I would love to have iphone foldable device serving as phone and iPad mini. One device, two functions. will be sooooo awesome 🤩 . Keep calm and be hopefully happy 😊 Life is too short to be unhappy.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I actually use my cellular Mini 6 as phone too (with VOIP app plus buds)- no iPhone at all. Calls come in, it rings, I can answer or let it go to VM. I can call out, recipient answers and can't tell at all that I'm calling from an iPad instead of a phone. Texts come in, notifications of texts appear and I reply. Internet browsing & email and pretty much ALL apps are- IMO- superior to iPhone thanks to the bigger screen. Even a Mac can be a phone with a Voip app and buds/phones.

This works perfectly fine for my purposes. And it costs MUCH less than owning an iPhone and cell phone contract (5G for a year averages $25- that's for the whole year, not each month). And iPads tend to have longer use life legs than iPhone too, so my next one is probably iPad Mini 9 or 10 in about 2029-30... which means I'm not coughing up another thousand or so ever 2-4 years. Doubts this works? Download a free Voip app to a wifi or cellular iPad you own. They will typically give you a free number. Then call yourself and use your phone to call your tablet to hear it ring. Then text your phone and use your phone to text your iPad. See & hear with your eyes & ears for free today.

If I could change ONE thing about it what would that be? Make it pocketable in normal-sized pockets. It's too big for pocket-ability in all but suit/coat pockets and select other wardrobe options (some cargo-type duds). So it generally occupies a hand or tucks under an arm. If it could fold/roll down to half width, it becomes as pocketable as an iPhone. That would be VERY APPEALING to me.

The reasons Folds/Rolls exist and keep getting new versions is that there is enough of a market for them to make it a profitable line. The reason rumors keep flowing that Apple is experimenting with them is because Apple sees that profitable market going to others and may opt to try to take a bite of it too. A segment of consumers want BIGGER mobile screens that still easily transport (pocket-ability) but can give them bigger screen R.E. too. That's what keeps making the bricks grow too. The best answer is NOT to carry 2 or 3 sizes of screens like iPhone + iPad + MB. That's just "our" answer now because we don't have any other options from Apple.

Some of us railing against it echo those who railed against phablet phone sizes while Apple clung to 3.5" and then 4" (both) as "perfect"... until Apple went phablet and then it's as if we never wrote "abomination", "fragmentation", "one-handed use", "pants with bigger pockets", "man-purses" etc. When Apple goes fold or roll or whatever, many will suddenly see the benefit of fold or roll or whatever. Until then, it will be ridiculed as "we" all ridiculed phablets before Apple had one. What's in your pocket now?

 

[glambutnerdy]

I struggle to see the point of foldable tablets at all?

Like, foldables were made so they could fit in small places. I can totally get behind a pocketable foldable phone in the monstrous sized phone landscape we live in. But tablets are not phones, they aren't intended to be pocketable. Even the ipad mini as is is still not going to fit in any pockets, it's purpose was as a lighter alternative that's slightly more portable. But a hypothetical foldable apple tablet, folded to the size of a mini would be twice as thick and at that stage would be as bulky as carrying around any other iPad line... so really, what's stopping you from getting the latter? Literally zero benefit.

 

[mrat93]

In the meantime I would happily walk away with a 120hz OLED mini right now.

In a heartbeat.

 

[Alpha God Vonn]

foldable phones are stupid and never made sense to me.

foldable tablets however, I can see it.

Because you never had one .

 

[Alpha God Vonn]

What an utter nonsense! Did you ever hold one in your hand? do you even realize the display cover is just plastic, not glass? It scratches super easy and you can't put tempered glass on it. Just a special Samsung screen protector. And you are not allowed to remove the screen protector by yourself because you could damage the plastic screen underneath.

Foldable phones will vanish as quickly as curved TV's and 3d TVs... well the latter may come back in the future because mobile phones can record 3d videos now and Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro can play them...

Yet again I can tell you never had one.

 

[glambutnerdy]

Whats the point of folding an already pockateable device like a phone (think Galaxy Flip)? just to put it uncomfortably on small shirt or girl jeans pockets? Just because it’s “cool”?

Maybe because some of us are actually girls, that face this struggle on a day to day basis? IDK, roughly 50% of the worlds population, but what does that matter on this tech nerd website anyways 🙃

 

[Jgboys1]

I would rather have an iPad mini!

 

[il_teo77]

Hope it doesn't replace the Mini.... Because it will surely cost more. And the Mini would be my perfect iPad if only the screen wasn't so crappy. So yeah, add a foldable, but just release a new version of the Mini with variable refresh rate and the latest A series processor and leave it on the lineup. I would be buying it immediately.

 

[Hellokittystampmyfacein]

A foldable?, no thanks I’ll keep my wallet folded.

 

[glambutnerdy]

I'm definitely hoping they refresh the (NORMAL) mini line soon. Would be super useful as a notetaking device, also kind of kindle sized which is perfect for books on the go. Would make college life so much easier.... but I feel like it's wise to wait a bit for a new release considering how old the current gen is.

 

[al256]

I think they're onto something here but they need to refine the category of the second screen. I'm sure it overlaps with the direction of the AVP. Let your iPhone be your phone but have a second screen that can be folded away for those other times you want or need more.

 

[brofkand]

foldable phones are stupid and never made sense to me.

foldable tablets however, I can see it.

Use it folded as a phone. Unfold it and it's a tablet.

 

[Return Zero]

Again I have to ask, do people really want this?

Foldables do seem to be getting better as the money is spent advancing the tech, but from what I've seen, they still leave a lot to be desired and offer no significant advantage for their substantial increase in price. Are there really people clamouring for foldables that the market is even there for this?

I think there is one crowd this could have massive appeal to, if Apple ever got their act together on the software/developer side: gamers. A foldable iPad mini with OLED and Apple Silicon 2nm ray tracing GPU cores could be an absolutely killer portable gaming experience.

 

[4743913]

not really interested in iPadOS anymore.. I am done with crippled operating systems. I have to accept it on the iPhone but my time with iPads is coming to an end. a Mac and the iPhone is all I need.