Apple's First Foldable iPad Could Face Delays Into 2026

[MacRumors]

Apple's first foldable device may not hit its previously expected 2025 schedule for mass production, based on new comments made by Haitong analyst Jeff Pu.

In a note to investors seen by MacRumors, Pu said that he continued to expect enhanced Apple product power driven by the likes of the iPhone 17 and Apple Intelligence, but this came despite some "pushouts" seen for Apple's foldable iPad.

When investors or analysts use the term "pushout" in relation to product releases, they typically mean the expected release date has been moved further into the future, either because there's a delay in the development or manufacturing process, or the company has decided to postpone the launch for other reasons.

In a May report, Pu said Apple's first foldable devices would reach mass production in 2025 and 2026, following increasing evidence of foldable devices in Apple's supply chain. At the time, the analyst said Apple would likely release a large-screen foldable iPad or MacBook in that timeframe before launching a higher-volume foldable iPhone in late 2026.

Pu had said one Apple foldable with a 20.3-inch display would start production in late 2025, which was sooner than previously expected. However, Pu now thinks Apple will join the foldable market in the second quarter of 2026 due to "display durability issues."

Article Link: Apple's First Foldable iPad Could Face Delays Into 2026

 

[JustAKidFromSolon]

There is simply no shot Apple releases a foldable device until maybe 2028

 

[wonderings]

wow, hard to believe that mass production is halted for a product that is not even announced!

 

[Ctrlos]

How come Samsung can do it then?

 

[alphaswift]

I saw a Galaxy Fold 6. Knowing Samsung is a first tier player, this tech is still not ready for prime time. No one is clamoring for a foldable Apple anything, so I hope they wait and get it right and not end up with the horrible crease that comes with the Fold 6.

 

[JippaLippa]

Great to have it ready when it's ready, but we're getting dangerously close to 2030, at this point.
On the other hand, I still haven't seen a single foldable device in the wild, despite Samsung being at its 6th generation of the technology.

 

[cicalinarrot]

Startups are often accused of creating "a solution that's looking for a problem".
That's what foldables feel to me.
I hope they make something great and make me look like the fools who thought the MacBook Air was crap because it couldn't load DVDs but...

 

[JediStarWars]

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. No-one is asking for this, there is no major demand. It’s niche and is never going to dominate the market. It’s like a foldable bike. Useful to a handful of people, but most people need or want a regular or high end bike. Shipments of foldable Samsungs are down 80% since 2022. It really is a gimmick.

 

[SW3029]

Is an unannounced product ever really "delayed"?

 

[cicalinarrot]

Is an unannounced product every really "delayed"?

Read the freakin' article:
"When investors or analysts use the term "pushout" in relation to product releases, they typically mean the expected release date has been moved further into the future, either because there's a delay in the development or manufacturing process, or the company has decided to postpone the launch for other reasons."

 

[Azeroth1]

This form factor seems to introduce a lot of problems for benefits I really don’t see. At least based on Samsung.

 

[LowKeyed]

How come Samsung can do it the

Some folks might say that while they’ve got foldable devices, they haven’t quite “done it” yet.

I know about Apple’s quality ups and downs over the years, and I’ve only seen a few Samsung Foldables in person. But I can’t imagine Apple would release the ones I’ve seen.

 

[F-B-Z]

Instead of a foldable iPad that nobody wants or needs, Apple should introduce an iPad that runs on macOS so that users can actually work on the device (or bring back an 11'' or 12'' Macbook, also fine).

 

[Razorpit]

How come Samsung can do it then?

Except they aren’t. Go in and befriend an employee at a Verizon/T-Mobile/AT&T store. Get them talking off the cuff. They’ll tell you what’s up with those folding phones. While their phones are getting better, they are still a disaster. They look great in the store, but there’s a reason no one has them in the wild. Longevity is not a thing with those phones.

Sure Apple could build one today, but it will have similar issues. And we all know how the tech press would respond if it were Apple phones failing like that. While Samsung is hacking away at solving those problems and making the customer take the brunt of R&D, Apple is working on the technology behind closed doors. When it’s ready it will be announced.

 

[dmk1974]

I just think a bi-fold phone is stupid and not worth it. Quality issues, odd open size, thickness....I don't see the real benefit. Carry an iPad Mini separate if you need one. Maybe someday Apple can just add straight up phone capability to an iPad Mini (work arounds available for year, but still not direct like a phone).

Here's an idea once the tech is available and quality is reliable....make a TRI-FOLD iPhone so when folded up (like an S) its still the same normal size footprint as a phone today with the screen still exposed (of course thicker though) but then when opened up it becomes much more comparable to a tablet size ratio. Just a thought.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I saw a Galaxy Fold 6. Knowing Samsung is a first tier player, this tech is still not ready for prime time. No one is clamoring for a foldable Apple anything, so I hope they wait and get it right and not end up with the horrible crease that comes with the Fold 6.

Samsung mostly makes the displays anyway. Apple can wait until 2030 or beyond for all I care. No one actually needs this.

Apple probably pushed it back based on the projected support costs alone.

 

[JohnRckr]

Why are they so slow with everything..
Then it comes to market with 60hz display in 2028.

 

[TComm]

Why? Why do we need a foldable device? Just to put it in the pocket? It is just a waste of time.

 

[HouseLannister]

How come Samsung can do it then?

What 20" Samsung foldable are you using?

 

[GrayFlannel]

Any rumor about Apple should be assumed baseless and originating from an attention seeking source and/or blogster. Certainly some rumors are merely deliberately false leaks from Apple channels hoping to generate public excitement and distractions…without corporate accountability. Apple‘s propaganda and disinformation skills are equal/better than major governments.

 

[Valve1138]

Who the hell wants this?

 

[Stenik]

I just got a Samsung Galaxy Fold 6 for my mom and it's an impressive piece of technology. The naysayers are just jealous.

 

[Hopefully Smarter]

wow, hard to believe that mass production is halted for a product that is not even announced!

It happens. I heard the real reason is the workers couldn’t decide where to go for lunch.

 

[klasma]

I just think a bi-fold phone is stupid and not worth it.

That’s why Apple is only making it an iPad.

Seriously, people will be disappointed that the foldable will not be a phone, and that Apple is only planning a flip-style form factor in the phone lineup.

 

[HouseLannister]

Seriously, people will be disappointed that the foldable will not be a phone, and that Apple is only planning a flip-style form factor in the phone lineup.

Yes. Since no one actually reads the articles: the rumor summary currently looks like an iPhone 17 Slim in 2025, then an iPhone 18 Flip (not Fold - hamburger, not hotdog) in 2026 and an iPad 20" (but we all wish it is a MacBook Touch) in 2026. I expect one or both of those to slide into 2027.