Foldable iPad With ~20-Inch Display Likely Set for 2028 Launch

[wanha]

Perhaps they should get macOS running on iPads first…

Considering this product isn't expected until 2028 at the earliest, is there a reason you think Apple can't or shouldn't work on this form factor and getting macOS running on iPads at the same time?

I mean, wouldn't that be criminally complacent?

 

[DrJR]

they should focus on making the fold
Enable smaller devices not larger ones imo.

Larger will be less likely to crease. My best guess.

 

[wanha]

Can’t run localhost, Xcode, Python, TS, Node, Docker… Who even needs such a massive piece of junk?

I know this one! Non-coders, of which there are hundreds of millions in the world?

 

[0815]

My problem with foldable devices is not the crease (yes, it's not great, but fine, I can overlook that) ... my problem is the thickness of folded phones. If the phone is folded, I don't want it (much) thicker than the current iPhone 16 Pro ... guess that's why it's important for Apple to work on a thinner iPhone for next year.

 

[coffeemilktea]

So Apple is making a Zenbook Duo with extra steps? (and extra costs... and running a tablet OS...) 😬

 

[Channan]

I do hope it’s not set up as shown with a keyboard on the lower half. Have you ever tried typing (or just successfully touching something), on an iPad that’s lying flat in a table? Chances are you’ll aim wrong and miss what you are trying to press.

I’ve been typing on the iPad’s screen for years, even flat on a table, and have no issues with it. Sure, I’m a little faster on a physical keyboard, but I’m fast enough on the virtual one that I don’t feel my typing is impaired by it. I would absolutely love a folding device like this that’s all screen with an on-screen keyboard.

And if this were to become a reality, of course you could always connect a physical keyboard if you need it. I’m sure Apple would come up with some kind of new Magic Keyboard for this.

 

[SoldOnApple]

Rollable please. And a special case that lets you fill the hollow tube with stuff without damaging the screen. We should want to always have it on us. Like a handbag that folds out into a huge iPad.

 

[AlexESP]

Or… will this finally be the device that can run iPadOS and MacOS depending on how it is configured? If Apple is going to price these in the $3-4K range, why not shoot for the stars?

High-end iPads are already more expensive than the MBA. I think macOS on the iPad would be so bad that it wouldn’t impact Mac sales at all — but worst of all, it would impact the iPad user experience and reputation. So it’s not a matter of cost.

 

[SanderEvers]

I don't know if it will be that expensive, but if existing foldable phones are anything to go by, it certainly seems likely that a foldable phone from Apple will be extremely expensive

A small samsung fold phone is €2000. I'd say a €3000 price is reasonable going by Apple price structure.

 

[Mr_Ed]

I know that’s just a speculative render on the article picture, but the lower part is practically useless with the exception of the keyboard. At that point, if you REALLY want a “foldable”, just get a small laptop, FFS. At least you get a real tactile keyboard with it.

 

[dugbug]

None of the foldable devices I’ve seen benefit from the smaller size. Still too big in Either direction to be pocketable

 

[Matsamoto]

Good to know that this will (eventually) happen in 2028.
Then I can buy an iPad in 2027.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

The most intriguing thing said in this write up is iPad OS being potentially able to run Mac OS apps eventually.

 

[klasma]

Knowing Apple of the crease has to be there they’ll design a special UI for it.

Dynamic Fault Line!

 

[klasma]

I bet Apple will lunch it as a new device, not an iPad, nor a Mac.

It will likely breakfast.

 

[Mr_Ed]

Dynamic Fault Line!

They are WAAAAY too stuffy for “Dynamic Butt Crack”.

 

[TVreporter]

Who is asking for this??

Just stick two iPads into a door hinge and call it a day!

 

[jdclifford]

Wake me up in 2027 if this is still on track.

 

[noxivs]

Don't!
Do not push products that no one wants or finds useful that push prices way up. I mean the VR technology both is not ready for prime time and its uses are limited. It's just an afterthought for many people and it's not comfortable or even healthy at all. Flip phones are another bad product design in my opinion. Flipping it open is another step that makes you lose time, even if it's a second, and it unnecessarily pushes the prices up. Steve Jobs wouldn't greenlight these products if he were around

 

[ttaylor2258]

Back in my day, this product would be called a laptop computer... Maybe I'm just old, but I do not get the appeal at all. Why not just make the MacBook's screen a touchscreen? I wouldn't want to use something like that without a physical keyboard.

 

[Ctrlos]

Such a device would be almost comically big when unfolded. It surely makes more sense to eliminate the breakage-prone crease by going with a dual-screened device instead?

 

[klasma]

They are WAAAAY too stuffy for “Dynamic Butt Crack”.

Which is a bummer for such a big-ass iPad.

 

[satchmo]

That mockup...who knew metal could be bendable multiple times without a hinge.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Steve Jobs wouldn't greenlight these products if he were around

Source please?

 

[Mr_Ed]

Such a device would be almost comically big when unfolded. It surely makes more sense to eliminate the breakage-prone crease by going with a dual-screened device instead?

This is my feeling about ALL foldables. If the extra small form factor when folded/not in use is that important, fine. But why introduce the obvious failure point of a foldable screen?