Foldable iPad Said to Share Hinge Design With Upcoming iPhone Ultra

[MacRumors]

Apple is still developing a large foldable iPad despite technical hurdles, and it should feature the same crease-free hinge design as Apple's rumored "iPhone Ultra," its first foldable iPhone expected to launch in the fall.

That's according to Weibo-based Digital Chat Station. The popular Chinese-language leaker implies that Apple's large foldable iPad will create a new market for giant folding tablets, but it's likely to still be some ways off yet.

A report in July last year claimed Apple had decided to pause work on a larger-screened foldable iPad because of development issues, but Bloomberg reported in March that development continues.

According to Bloomberg's previous reporting, Apple wanted to launch the device in 2028, but problems with weight and display technology are likely to cause it to be pushed back until 2029.

The device is believed to have a Samsung-made 18-inch display, and will challenge Apple's long-running tradition of keeping the Mac and iPad as separate devices. Some have referred to it as a foldable iPad, while others have called it an all-display MacBook, but concerns remain about its practicality when it comes to typing.

When closed, the iPad resembles a MacBook, with an aluminum exterior and no outer display. When opened, it unfolds to roughly the size of a 13-inch MacBook Air, but without a physical keyboard. Due to its large display and aluminum chassis, current prototypes weigh about 3.5 pounds, making them considerably heavier than existing iPad Pro models.

An 18-inch OLED foldable display will surely be expensive, too, given that Apple charges $1,299 for the 13-inch ‌iPad Pro. If prices don't come down for components over the next few years, the foldable ‌iPad‌ could cost as much as $3,900. It also sounds like Apple still has work to do to perfect its hinge/crease designs.

Meanwhile, Apple's foldable iPhone, which could take the name "iPhone Ultra," is expected to arrive in the fall alongside Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, barring any last-minute production mishaps. The folding iPhone is said to feature a 5.5-inch display when closed, and a 7.8-inch display when open, plus a super-thin design with minimal crease and a durable hinge.

Article Link: Foldable iPad Said to Share Hinge Design With Upcoming iPhone Ultra

 

[Reason077]

Somehow, a foldable iPad doesn't sound as cringe as a foldable iPhone.

 

[lepetitnicolas]

Why make a foldable iPhone or iPad when you can just put a 5G antenna/phone hardware into a smaller MacBook Neo and just call it the iPhonePad Fold and that's it, it will sell like crazy.

 

[goaliefight]

Nobody wants foldables

 

[Le0M]

Nobody wants foldables

You know all 8 billion people on this earth 🤣?
I mean, why can't people be more objective and express a personal opinion as such?

 

[Hellokittystampmyfacein]

Here’s a real idea Apple you can pay me later, why make a foldable phone to begin with the market is already saturated nearly 80% so how do you make more money sell two phones and put them together with a custom Apple sold separately, of course, design hinge that you can sell separately and just use software to link the two phones together less cost more profit or maybe that’s why the iPhone air is so thin?

 

[winxmac]

Instead of chasing their share of the pie for foldables, Apple should just revive the mini or rather, the standard size iPhone before 2014. Think Different Apple.

 

[alphaswift]

The only use case that makes sense to me is to put a foldable Ipad with a big screen into a small bag. The extra cost to do that does not seem worth it. I'd rather spend less money on a proper keyboard (Magic Keyboard) or I can move to a MBN or MBA.

 

[MisterAndrew]

Why do they think we want these?

 

[Edsel]

The technology to produce even larger flexible screens is fascinating. I envision a future where the walls and ceilings in our homes are screens rather than plaster board. We'll never be alone, always enjoy the proximity of our faithful, enjoy AI instructed discipline in our work, family finance, hobbies, recipes, and our statutory worship of "Truth Social".

Flexible screen technology may one day embrace, the Apple ecosystem Apple had boldly envisioned...

 

[macjaffa]

Why make a foldable iPhone or iPad when you can just put a 5G antenna/phone hardware into a smaller MacBook Neo and just call it the iPhonePad Fold and that's it, it will sell like crazy.

if my grandma had wheel she would have been a bicycle. Maybe the answer is because then it wouldn't be a foldable ipad, it would be a macbook neo.

 

[macjaffa]

Why do they think we want these?

they can sell it and make money. They don't care if you want it or not.

 

[macjaffa]

Nobody wants foldables

i know right? Still rocking a nokia 6210, no idea why anyone would want anything newer.

 

[starlabjump]

I’m not too interested in foldable iPads. What I really care about is whether Apple will ever allow macOS on the iPad Pro.

Then I’d finally have a cellular, OLED, touch-enabled Mac with stylus support.

 

[muziq]

So what you're saying is.. it's a laptop.. Got it. Sure Apple, take my money...

 

[lepetitnicolas]

if my grandma had wheel she would have been a bicycle. Maybe the answer is because then it wouldn't be a foldable ipad, it would be a macbook neo.

Not just a MacBook Neo... no Sir.... A Nanoneophonebookpropad GS++ Air Max !!!!!!!!

 

[D-a-a-n]

Here’s a real idea Apple you can pay me later, why make a foldable phone to begin with the market is already saturated nearly 80% so how do you make more money sell two phones and put them together with a custom Apple sold separately, of course, design hinge that you can sell separately and just use software to link the two phones together less cost more profit or maybe that’s why the iPhone air is so thin?

Here's a real idea. Break up your sentences, using a dot.

 

[syklee26]

Nobody wants foldables

Probably said the same thing when smartphone came out smh

 

[Nyx1]

Apple give us iPad mini slim bezel and can foldable like iPhone ultra with M6/M7

 

[DailySlow]

Or nano smart "paint.' Red- or Purple- or Amarillo- or...Blue tooth? 9.5.1.1 And you pay by the size of area it's applied upon. Each paint particle controlled from your phone (or pad, or Mac). 1000% better than a green screen, no?

 

[McTool]

Nobody wants foldables

Sure.
About 167 million users are interested according to a survey.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

I would buy an 18” iPad Pro upon release. But I would not spend the amount required for that iPad to be a folding device.

 

[andiwm2003]

Exciting device. However given that it will be quite expensive I just don't see the use case for a mass market. The main reason to have a foldable iPad is portability. However, I can't see a large number of people buying a $3k-4k to bring it to the beach or toss it around at campus or use it in the bathroom. A Neo or a iPad Air can do 95% of that for 600 bucks. Even as a travel device it's quite expensive and I wouldn't want to break it at an airport security line. in a distant future when they cost under $1k is see this being successful. Right now it's a cool device like a Lamborghini with similar sales numbers.

 

[wanha]

I love the idea of a large foldable iPad, but I worry the price will be exorbitantly and prohibitively high

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

You know all 8 billion people on this earth 🤣?
I mean, why can't people be more objective and express a personal opinion as such?

One of my pet peeves on forums where people think their opinion is the opinion of everyone! Another is people who pull percentages out of thin air and use them like facts -- "90% of people", like you did a poll? 😉