Apple's 18-Inch Foldable iPad Delayed Until 2029, Could Cost Up to $3,900

[MacRumors]

Apple's large-screened foldable iPad could be delayed due to development issues, reports Bloomberg. Apple wanted to launch the device in 2028, but problems with weight and display technology may cause it to be pushed back until 2029.

Multiple rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a large foldable device, though information has diverged on whether it will be positioned as an iPad or a Mac. The product is expected to have an 18-inch display created by Samsung, with Apple focusing on minimizing the display crease.

A large foldable OLED display is expensive, and the foldable device could be up to three times as expensive as the 13-inch iPad Pro. Apple charges $1,299 for the 13-inch iPad Pro, so if prices doesn't come down for components over the next few years, the foldable iPad could cost as much as $3,900.

When the iPad is closed, it looks like a Mac, with an aluminum shell and no exterior display. When open, it is similar in size to the 13-inch MacBook Air, but there is no physical keyboard. Because of the large screen size and the aluminum chassis, prototypes weigh around 3.5 pounds, making it significantly heavier than the current iPad Pro models.

According to Bloomberg, the foldable iPad is apparently similar in design to the Huawei MateBook Fold, which is an 18-inch foldable tablet priced at $3,400.

Huawei's MateBook Fold​

Apple's first foldable device, an iPhone, could come out as soon as next year. Multiple rumors have suggested that Apple wants to introduce it as part of the iPhone 18 lineup, though some recent information indicates that it too might be delayed.

Article Link: Apple's 18-Inch Foldable iPad Delayed Until 2029, Could Cost Up to $3,900

 

[MacUserFella]

For $3,900, we better get some good use out of it unlike the Vision Pro

 

[jz0309]

Gurman at his best ...

 

[lapstags]

No way they are delaying a folding phone anymore, especially not all the way to 2029.

 

[Digital Dude]

With a keyboard for this thing’, plus AppleCare One, plus tax, you’ll be knocking $5k and likely $6k if you max it… 🙅

 

[bmark]

$4,000 iPad? That's insanity!

 

[Apple-achian]

Here we go, another round of sour-grapes driven Apple-bashing from commenters who don't work hard enough to enjoy their innovation.

 

[JPack]

Not surprising. If Huawei can charge $3,400 today, Apple can certainly do $3,900. Although by 2029, it really shouldn't be $3,900.

 

[bmark]

Here we go, another round of sour-grapes driven Apple-bashing from commenters who don't work hard enough to enjoy their innovation.

Such a ridiculous take! Anyone paying $4,000 for a foldable iPad needs a mental evaluation.

 

[abatabia]

DOA. Why would I ever consider this over a MacBook Pro?

 

[GMOinSLO]

I'd be more inclined to pay $4,000 for an Apple connected e-bike than an iPad that folds in half.

 

[Maclver]

No way they are delaying a folding phone anymore, especially not all the way to 2029.

iPad ≠ iPhone..!

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

And we’re gonna love it!

 

[MaxVerstappen]

All the folding devices are gimmicks.

 

[uacd]

Apple should be careful… they are on the edge of being “too pricey” so users would just escape back to reality🤷‍♂️

Who needs Instagram on a foldable tablet if 4000$ can make a good trip, or some old used car, tasty food, like… anything really. They should have learned by now that there are not so many users ready to pay 4k for advanced VR skigoogles, as well as the fact that the most popular iPhone model proves to be the cheapest from the range for yet another consecutive year

 

[iMac The Knife]

$3900? Haha, yeah not happening. DOA.

 

[Sami13496]

And the problem this design supposedly solves is…? Let me guess: the iPad folds so it fits into a smaller bag, and then opens up big when needed. In what scenario would that be so critical that it’s worth paying $4000 for? I’d rather just buy a slightly bigger bag for a few bucks and get a laptop instead, lol.

 

[bodonnell202]

I don't really get the use case for this. At least with a foldable phone you are getting something pocketable that opens to have a screen the size of a small tablet, but what does folding up your iPad accomplish? Just so you can carry a smaller bag?

 

[TheDailyApple]

Here we go, another round of sour-grapes driven Apple-bashing from commenters who don't work hard enough to enjoy their innovation.

If it actually filled any sort of use case that's not covered by better more mature products, you might have a point. 4k for a trinket that has less utility than lower priced products like a mid-upper-range MacBook Pro is insane. It's worth spending big money on innovation when it does something useful, not merely cause it's different. I wouldn't spend money on something like that not because I couldn't afford it, but rather because I'd be embarrassed by owning it.

 

[BabyBoii]

but with inflation that will basically be 1k in todays money. cool

 

[MacsRgr8]

So, let's buy a € 4000 iPad, € 4000 AVP, € 2000 iPhone.... I mean I know there's been a couple of years of inflation but these prices of basically luxury gadgets is getting somewhat out of hand...

 

[bejaxn0623]

Here we go, another round of sour-grapes driven Apple-bashing from commenters who don't work hard enough to enjoy their innovation.

Anyone working hard needs more than an iPad. Also this article is so basic you have no idea what "innovation" would even go into this product. It's also unrealistic to think anyone can predict what Apple is going to do in 2029. The hardware has never been the shortcoming for the iPad is has always been the OS. So paying 4000.00 for something running iPadOS would be ridiculous and unrealistic to believe that it would succeed. Many feel the iPad Pro is already overpriced for what you get.

 

[uacd]

Here we go, another round of sour-grapes driven Apple-bashing from commenters who don't work hard enough to enjoy their innovation.

Sour grapes are vintage wine, and sour electronics are e-waste🤣

These 4k will simply age poorly. I paid 800$ for my iPad Air 2 in 2014, and I can still use it! It is very laggy but still opens up webpages and even works for occasional gaming. Not sure if I EVER paid 4k for that. There is…like, certain psychological barrier to do certain things, especially if you have had experience with old Apple devices and their cost, which was significantly less back then.

I just hope they will leave cheaper options as-is for regular people, not everyone needs foldables (I just don’t like them at all, not because of price - weird and kinda old-fashioned form factor)

 

[Stella]

I already have a folding device, it’s called a laptop. Far more versatile than an iPad. It costs about the same too as the predictived iPad price.

iPads have their usages and great hardware , but sadly held back by the software.

 

[Shanesan]

Plenty of good use cases for a foldable phone - hand-held, easy on the pocket, pick a thing.

For an iPad? I'm looking for a use-case other than "gimmick".