Foldable iPad Now in 'Intensive Development,' Could Be Announced as Soon as Next Year

[Boosf]

Apple's rumored foldable iPad is now in "intensive development" and could be announced as soon as late 2024, according to DigiTimes.

In a paywalled report that cites supply chain sources, DigiTimes outlines how Apple is now working with suppliers on foldable iPad development, ahead of small-scale production scheduled for the end of 2024. The Taiwanese publication believes that this indicates Apple could announce the device in late 2024 or early 2025 if progress remains steady.

Apple has apparently been working on foldable products for four years and continuously made design changes in this time, planning to release a foldable iPad before working on a foldable iPhone. Apple chose to focus on the iPad because it makes up a comparatively small proportion of the company's sales, meaning that potential issues are easier to manage and less impactful.

The company has reportedly not yet finalized the design of the foldable iPad. Initially, Apple's product design team led the project but this role is now said to have shifted to the procurement department to bring down costs. Apple's main objective at this stage is to achieve a more cost-effective design, motivating contentious changes to the device.

A main issue is said to be the device's panel and hinges, with Apple being particularly concerned about the display creasing. The company is purportedly looking to Samsung and LG to provide a display that mitigates the creasing effect using mechanical design solutions. Apple is seemingly able to obtain sufficient supply of the device's hinge, but is still seeking a design that is more cost-effective and easy to mass produce, which could require further simplification and reduction in the number of parts.

Mass production of Apple's first foldable is expected to commence in 2025. DigiTimes believes the foldable could boost iPad shipments, sparking an uptick in otherwise shrinking global tablet sales.

Article Link: Foldable iPad Now in 'Intensive Development,' Could Be Announced as Soon as Next Year

Please don't....

 

[TVreporter]

I bet they won't fold the price in half though…

Who is asking for this?

 

[wanha]

Apple engineers are thrusting away at the production issues with a steel focus, steadily increasing the cadence of their efforts until it all climaxes in a euphoric release of the iPad Fold to the market

sorry not sorry

 

[madrigal77]

But... why?!?!?

 

[Mac_The_Ripper]

Like who? Because it sounds like you are the one making stuff up. I think most people, like me, are put off all foldables because they hate the crease and have concerns about the resilience of electronic circuitry that is flexed repeatedly. Perhaps if two separate flat screens were joined by a precision hinge I might be more persuaded, but in any case the flexible screens should be saved for devices that have a static curve to them, like device worn on an arm such as a large bracelet (rather than a watch).

I'm not going to call users out specifically, as I don't need a warning or a temp ban from the mods. They are easy to find if you pay attention. There are more hypocrites and flip floppers on MR than any other forum I am a part of. That is part of the fun though.

 

[Mac_The_Ripper]

Only for people that like to kid themselves! It’s neither a good phone or a good tablet

Maybe not to you (who has most likely never owned a foldable) but my Pixel Fold is both a good phone and a good tablet for me. Again, if it wasn't I would buy something else.

 

[bobcomer]

But... why?!?!?

I imagine they think they'll be able to sell them.

 

[toobravetosave]

This is no problem at all. As soon as Apple rolls out any such thing/feature, it's as if THEY developed it and it often becomes THE reason to buy it, soon evangelized by those who formerly wrote passionate hate against it... then propped up by putting down whatever it replaced. Sprinkle in some "Apple may not be first, but they waited to get it right."

There are YEARS of hate posts against phablets... until Apple went phablet. It was relentless ridicule for years and then... it was as if no such opinions were ever posted. I'm still looking for all the pants with bigger pockets and man purses. And WOW- what a great leap in human evolution to make those one hands scale up to keep that all-important ability in play. Apparently, all iPhone users can easily palm basketballs now. It's amazing!

yes I was being slightly facetious as a dig against the common ilk on these forums who just love to hate the other side until apple does it

competition is good (except for the App Store )

 

[Timster83]

I’m not in the market for this type of device, or indeed any iPad, but this statement is very sad and points to a “design by committee” attitude which seems to have taken hold at Apple.

Initially, Apple's product design team led the project but this role is now said to have shifted to the procurement department to bring down costs. Apple's main objective at this stage is to achieve a more cost-effective design, motivating contentious changes to the device.

 

[StanleyOmar]

A foldable phone I think I want. A foldable iPad I’m curious about but also kinda don’t see the point. Apple will have to convince me.

I agree. If it's not small enough to fit in your pocket and still requires any type of bag, I'm not sure of the point. Even if it fit in the pocket of a laptop bag to double as a second screen, I still don't think I'd have a use for an external monitor smaller than my current laptop screen. But I'm sure they'll have some kind of explanation for its needed existence.

 

[jmgregory1]

One complication that a folding iPad presents is any kind of physical keyboard is either going to need to be a separate device or it will need to be complex itself to deal with the folding screen of the iPad. I like the 12.9” iPad Pro for its screen size, the fact that I can use it much like a laptop when on the Magic Keyboard case, and can easily pull it off for when I want a hand-held device that is bigger than my iPhone, which in both cases I do daily.

Perhaps there are people who never use a physical keyboard with a tablet and a folding iPad could be a good option that would allow half the screen to be a keyboard (when partially opened), but I can’t imagine being productive at work if I was having to use an on-screen keyboard. I want all the screen size I can get when working and hate using the on-screen keyboard. I’ve often thought that a 15” sized laptop where the screen is both the keyboard and screen connected, could be interesting. You could use it much like a typical laptop or unfold it and use it as a 19” (diag) screen that you could connect a keyboard and mouse or trackpad to.

 

[TechGod]

Your assuming the display is visible when folded, and not merely covered by the back to protect the screen when folded.

The Duo concept makes no sense at all if this is a foldable ipad. My read is that it is gonna be an iPad Mini and iPad Pro in one.

 

[TechGod]

But that's assuming the design they come up with also puts a display on the outside of the device as well...

Why wouldn't it? There's no proof that there WON'T be a display on the outside.

 

[TechGod]

I think the display will fold inside, not outside.

Again, I am not sure what you are basing this off?

 

[Makayla]

Speaking for myself I think this sounds interesting and I am willing to give it a try.

I am a heavy tablet user and keep a dozen tablets, from 4, soon to be 5 different OS systems. And this will help me streamline the iPadOS ones a little.

 

[jlc1978]

Why wouldn't it? There's no proof that there WON'T be a display on the outside.

Nor is there proof it has one, or that the device will be released. If they are looking to cut costs an external display is likely not in the cards.

 

[Boil]

I would not mind an iPhone that unfolds to become an iPad mini...

 

[257Loner]

I know what I'm getting @eyoungren for Christmas!

 

[TimothyL]

While an iPhone that folds into an iPad would be fun, so many of us carry our phones in our pockets and having it 2x as thick would be inconvenient.

 

[bobcomer]

While an iPhone that folds into an iPad would be fun, so many of us carry our phones in our pockets and having it 2x as thick would be inconvenient.

It probably wouldn't be twice as thick, at least the foldables available now aren't, but it will be close. As for our pockets, not a problem unless you wear skin tight pants. While I have pants pockets that wont fit a 15PM, they fit a Samsung Flip5 just fine.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Not for me, but a foldable iPad makes more sense than a foldable phone.
My iPhone Pro Max fits better in my pocket the way it is. A foldable version would be a thick square in my pocket. Nah!

 

[Silverado]

Foldable iPad?! Why? It’s phones that we want to fall not iPads that we put in bags anyway.

 

[blcamp]

"Awful" Nonsense, just pure and utter nonsense. You are completely entitled to your opinion and personal use case, but I just find it ludicrous when others think their non use case translates to the rest of consumers. I totally get if you don't like the crease, are concerned about breakage/fragility, or any other aspect that is a legitimate concern. But I just don't get the belief that this doesn't solve a problem for some consumers.

I'm going to go ahead and describe my "problem" and see if you can see how this is a solution for myself. I would like a larger screen, something like an iPad mini size, but I don't want to carry around an iPad mini, both because it's too large for my pockets and because I don't want 2 devices.

Again, totally acceptable if YOU don't like it, need it, or find a use or solution for your uses. But stop extrapolating that to the rest of us who actually find great utility in this form factor.

Aspersions aside, I'll answer your question. Let's say we're talking about an iPad Pro 12.9" and you want to fold it down to 1/4 size (two folds). That's smaller than a mini, so fine. But now it's thicker than any external battery pack, and even larger in every dimension than a pack of cigarettes or a deck of cards.

You don't want two devices, but how is this going to work as a phone? Will iPadOS modify it's displayable boundaries to 1/4 of the screen? There's a reason iOS and iPadOS diverged; with this type of foldable device, they'll need to reunite.

So no, I still don't see the utility here... I'm seeing one "headache" being exchanged for perhaps multiple ones.

 

[wanha]

But... why?!?!?

How is this so hard to understand?

Apple can make a significantly bigger iPad if it can fold in half for storage.

Imagine being able to transport a 22" screen with you in your backpack. You may not want or need it, but a lot of people will.

 

[frownface]

if creases are something they have a problem, then looking to samsung is not the solution.